This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society blog
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
The 9/30/11 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:
1. Irene Recovery Information
2. Cavendish Related News
3. We’re Still Here: Cavendish Celebrates its’ 250th Anniversary
4. Order your locally grown Thanksgiving Turkey
5. Gethsemane Episcopal Church
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: The 150th Anniversary
7. October Cavendish Calendar
1. Irene Recovery Information
An updated Recovery Information handout will be posted to this blog on Wednesday. The current one, available on-line (upper right hand corner link) , is available in print form at the town office. Note that the Ludlow Disaster Recovery Center (next to Cool Moose Café) will be closed on Sundays. The Center will now be open Monday through Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. You have until Oct. 31 to file for disaster assistance
2. Cavendish Related News
Cavendish Canyon Is on the Rise: Repairs to Route 131 are proceeding apace, thanks to help from Ohio National Guard soldiers who head home Sept. 26. The “Canyon” could be repaired by Thanksgiving, state Transportation officials say. Transportation workers from Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, National guard troops from VT and Ohio and private contractors have filled in about 40,000 cubic yards of stone and soil and have around 30,000 left to haul in from quarries and gravel pits in Cavendish and surrounding towns. Valley News 9/24/11
Cavendish Canyon to be Repaired by Thanksgiving: The river is what led to all of the damage in Cavendish. More than 120 National Guardsmen are there to help fill in the pit, but it is going to take more than 7,000 trucks of fill before it is passable once again. WCAX
VT Tied for Biggest Drop in Household Income: At the peak of the recession in 2009 Vermont saw an unemployment rate of over 7 percent-- the highest in almost 20 years. Nationally there was a 2.2 percent drop in average household income to $50,000. In Vermont there was a 6.1 percent drop to $49,000 per household, meaning fewer people can afford their homes. WCAX
Gov Extends State Credit to Towns Affected by Irene: Possible Gas Tax hike: Vermont banks, the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank and the state Treasurer’s Office announced a financial assistance package to help ease the financial stress on municipalities as they rebuild over the coming year. The state will advance $24 million in payments that are already slated for town highway aid ($6.2 million), current use ($12.3 million) and payment in lieu of taxes ($5.8 million). The governor emphasized that he is loathe to increase taxes, and he acknowledged that local property taxpayers may be hit hard. He didn’t rule out a gas levy, saying it would be “irresponsible” to take anything off the table. Press Release
FEMA Housing Units Headed to VT: Displaced flood victims unable to find permanent shelters before winter could end up in mobile housing units provided by FEMA, state officials said Tuesday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already delivered 10 “park unit mobile homes” to a staging area in Springfield. Secretary of Commerce Lawrence Miller says additional units are at the ready if newly homeless residents cannot secure suitable shelter in advance of the cold season. Rutland Herald
Tree Disease May Dull Foliage: A tree disease called anthracnose that thrives in wet conditions may be adding a brown tinge to the start of Vermont’s beloved — and lucrative — foliage season. Rutland Herald
Public Hearings on Improving VT’s Environmental and Land Use Permitting Process: The purpose of the hearings is to hear from Vermonters about what works and what needs improvement in the ANR, Act 250 and municipal permitting and appeals processes. FMI, including locations, http://vtdigger.org/2011/09/29/public-hearings-on-permit-process/
Amtrack’s Vermonter Back Up and Running: Amtrak train "the Vermonter" will be back up and running this weekend. The train has been out of service as crews made upgrades to the route thanks to a $50 million federal grant. Damage from Tropical Storm Irene delayed work the project. But officials say the re-opening of the route was only pushed back 2 weeks. The Vermonter runs from Saint Albans to Washington, D.C. WCAX
CVPS Shareholders Vote for Merger: Shareholders of Central Vermont Public Service voted overwhelmingly to approve the sale of CVPS to Gaz-Metro, the Canadian company that already owns Green Mountain Power. WCAX
3. We’re Still Here: Cavendish Celebrates its’ 250th Anniversary
Please share this information with neighbors and friends who may not be on-line:
Like many parts of Vermont, on August 28, our town was abruptly changed. While the road damage and flooding made us an “island town,” so many came to our aid to not only reassure us that we were not alone, but to help us as we began the recovery process.
For ten days, the Cavendish Town Elementary School was our shelter. Over 85 individuals and families and 36 organizations and businesses, including Vermont Red Cross, Homeland Security and the National Guard brought food and water to sustain us and the tools to clean up our homes and businesses, as well as the equipment and talent to restore our roads. Approximately 120 people helped to keep the shelter going, and another 25 formed work crews to assist in restoring damaged property.
While we have a ways to go, we are definitely on the mend and are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the charter by King George III on Oct. 12, 1761. We’ve had to make some adjustments, but we’re here and we want to invite everyone, particularly all of you who helped us through those first 10 days. The events, listed below are free and open to everyone.
Oct 7 (Friday): Community Dance, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. Yankee Chank will be playing a variety of music-contras and squares with Mark Sustic as caller (the dancing of our first settlers); and hot Cajun/Zydeco dance tunes. Given our recent situation, could it be any more fitting to have a Louisiana inspired dance band? Les Bon Temps Roulet! (Let the Good Times Roll)
Oct. 8 (Saturday): Parade on Depot Street in Proctorsville starts at 10 am. We may have an abbreviated parade, but it will be inspired. The grand marshal is Sandra Stearns historian and author of “Cavendish Hillside Farm 1939 to 1957.” A variety of activities will take place as the parade ends at the Proctorsville Green (alternative location is the school). Look for games from the 1700’s that people of all ages can enjoy, food, face painting and much more.
Oct. 9 (Sunday): The Proctorsville/Cavendish churches will be holding an open house/reception at their respective churches from noon until 2 pm. At 2 pm, the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” Suzanne Gay Beyer, granddaughter of Olin Gay and John S. Pfarr, will be talking about their book at Crows Bakery on Depot Street in Proctorsville. There is a very interesting connection between Cavendish and the popular wristwatch expansion bracelet. This is the iconic American story of the underdog coming from behind to prevail. Please note that the location may need to change if Crows Bakery is not fully operational by that Sunday. The school will be the alternative location.
Oct 10 (Monday): The churches will be sponsoring a pot luck supper at 5 pm at the Cavendish School in Proctorsville, followed by a discussion on the history of religion in Cavendish.
4. Order your locally grown Thanksgiving Turkey
Moonlite Meadows Farm (Tings) on East Road in Cavendish is now taking orders for turkeys being raised on their farm. To reserve yours, call 226-8077 or e-mail reddog168@gmail.com
5. Gethsemane Episcopal Church
As most know, Gethsemane Episcopal Church was heavily damaged by the flood. The following note from Rev. Bower relates information about what they are doing and their new website: Dear Members and Friends of Gethsemane Episcopal Church, Proctorsville VT: We continue to meet on Sundays to celebrate Holy Eucharist, at 9:45am, at St James Methodist Church, Main Street, Proctorsville. I hope to see you there next Sunday.
On this past Sunday afternoon we were invited to a Celebration of Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Vineyard and harvest of Antonio Antinori in Proctorsville, at 2pm at Tony's vineyard on Twenty Mile Stream Road. Needless to say, the weather was perfect & the word 'Blessed' was uttered often. Thank you Tony for hosting us!
Also on Saturday, October 1, in honor of St Francis of Assisi, St James Methodist Church and Gethsemane Episcopal Church is offering “The Blessing of The Animals” on the Proctorsville Green. All are invited.
We now have a website to keep our congregation and the public updated on our reconstruction efforts and ongoing activities. Please visit us at www.gethsemaneproctorsville.com
Blessings and peace to you all
Richard +-- _The Very Rev. Richard A. Bower
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: The 150th Anniversary
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at their blog.
The 150th Anniversary of Cavendish celebration had to be rescheduled to August 1912, due to a smallpox epidemic. Angie Kingsbury wrote to her sister, Marietta, on August 16, 1912 about the parade and events:
I am sending a list of the floats etc. which was printed in the last Tribune. No. 1 was drawn by an ox team the man representing John Coffeen driving the oxen. One person was barefoot and they all looked rather dilapidated. The next to come along was two men riding oxen. They didn’t have any yokes or anything on. ..No. 4 was a man dressed as they did in colonial times-powdered hair, cocked hat & all the fixings-riding on horseback. He looked exactly like George Washington. …No. 5 was an old, old green wagon. No. 7 were men on horseback painted red. A float with evergreens on the bottom covered with cotton to represent snow & two Indians sitting beside an old iron kettle and a bower of evergreen….The Rebekah float, which took first prize, was all white. …The horsback riders were few & the bicycles weren’t so very wonderful. There were quite a few autos. Gay’s took first prize. That was all covered with green & flowers & some little girls around with one perched on the back of the seat holding pink lines that were hitched to the shield in front. Murdock’s was second prize & was draped with golden rod. Fletchters was third & was decorated with sunflowers. The horribles [people dressed in costume] were plentiful. ….Sandford Emery got first prize for being horrible. He drove a scrawny horse hitched to a dilapidated wagon the wheels didn’t go together very well and were patched up boards and he was rigged as an old fat woman, wore a mash(ed) and new fashioned hat and an old cotton dress & brown umbrella with the ribs all sticking out as a sunshade. He had a bundle in his arms for a baby & was labeled “votes for women.” …There were two lineal descendents of Capt. Coffeen there. A man & a woman. The woman made a fine speech. It didn’t take her more than two minutes. The man spoke quite a while… Rev. Hough read an original poem. There were more speakers…
Allen M. Fletcher was to give the closing address at this celebration, but since it was late and beginning to rain, he wisely made just a few short remarks. “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish, Vermont: A Family and Town History” by Barbara B. Kingsbury
Note that this Sunday is the last day the Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open for the season. Come and see the 250th Historic Timeline.
7. October Cavendish Calendar
October 1 (Saturday): In honor of St Francis of Assisi, St James Methodist Church and Gethsemane Episcopal Church will offer the blessing of animals on the Proctorsville Green at 2pm. All are invited.
• Vermont Open Studio Weekend
October 2 (Sunday): Vermont Open Studio Weekend
• Last Sunday the Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open 2-4 pm.
October 3 (Monday): Red Cross Blood Drive at the Ludlow Community Center 12:30-5:30 pm. Everyone donating blood in Oct. will have a chance to win a 7 Day cruise for 2 departing Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn.
October 5 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office
October 6 (Thursday): Okemo Valley Chamber Golf Tournament Scramble format golf tournament, 18 holes with a cart, golfer goody bags, range balls, BBQ & cash bar. Closest to the pin and Longest Drive contests. Hole-in-one contest (WIN a New 2011 Chevrolet), and putting contest (win $5,000)! $85 per player, or $65 per player for OVGC members. Tee Box Sponsorships available. FMI: 228-7870
• 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
October 7 (Friday): We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary starts with a community dance, 7 pm at the Cavendish School. Contra and Square dances will be called by Mark Sustic. Yankee Chank will provide music and will include Cajun/Zydeco tunes. FMI: 226-7807
October 8 (Saturday): We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary. Parade 10 am on Depot Street ending at the Proctorsville Green where post parade activities will take place. Alternate location is the school following the Parade.
October 9 (Sunday): We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary Open house at Cavendish/Proctorsville Churches noon-2pm. Meet the authors of “Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” 2-4 pm at Crows Bakery on Depot Street. Alternative location is the school.
October 10 (Monday): Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line and Comcast Cable TV. Check the website for more information.
• We’re Still Here! Cavendish 250th Anniversary Pot luck summer and discussion of the history of religion in Cavendish, 5 pm at the school. Sponsored by the Cavendish/Proctorsville Churches.
October 13 (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
October 20 (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
October 22 (Saturday): The Helping Hand Class of the Cavendish Baptist Church is planning a Benefit Supper for the Cavendish Flood Victims. It will be held at the Church on Saturday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The menu will be Turkey and all the Trimmings, followed by Apple or Pumpkin Pie. Admission will be by donation. To assist, please call Barbara (802) 226-7724.
October 27 (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
October 31 (Monday): HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Part of Cavendish Connects, the Cavendish, VT Blog archives the weekly e-mails, "Cavendish Update" and provides on-going information about current activities.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Select Board Meeting Agenda 9/27/11
The Cavendish Select Board will meet today at 5pm at the Cavendish Town Office. The agenda will be as follows:
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Sign Orders
3. Review Correspondence
4. Update on Hurricane Irene storm clean-up related activities.
5. Adjourn
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Sign Orders
3. Review Correspondence
4. Update on Hurricane Irene storm clean-up related activities.
5. Adjourn
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sgt. Stocker Obituary
The obituary for Sgt. Stocker, the Air Guard member who died from a heart attack on Wednesday, while providing relief work in Cavendish, can be found online. You can leave messages at this site.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Cavendish Update 9/23/11 Guard/News/SB/Events
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
The 9/23/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Air Guard Member Dies Working in Cavendish
2. Select Board Meeting 9/20/11
3. Cavendish Related News
4. 250th Anniversary Planning Continues
5. Meet the Authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs”
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Floods of 1936 and 1938
7. Blessing of the Animals
8. Classifieds
1. Air Guard Member Dies Working in Cavendish
While there are a number of articles about “a 46-year-old Vermont Air Guard member on state active duty assisting with cleanup in Cavendish who died unexpectedly Wednesday morning,” many of us who worked in the shelter knew Master Sgt. Shawn Stocker. Since the Air Guard arrived a few days after the Army Guard, were fewer in number and worked a different shift, we saw more of them.
We quickly learned that Stocker had been in Norway before coming here, his wife and kids were in West Rutland, but he had relatives in Cavendish and grew up not far from here. In fact, he related how his father had purchased plots for the family in the Cavendish Cemetery. We told him that alone made him one of us.
Stocker was passionate about what he did. Standing in the familiar A frame military pose, with arms crossed, in the middle of a very crowded dinning area, he spoke of why he did this type of work. “It’s just part of who you are. You can’t teach people this,” he said. “I’ve always known this is what I was meant to do.” Looking very fit and trim, he was a man living his beliefs, and we felt pretty lucky to have him as part of the “Cavendish Canyon” crew.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Stocker’s family, friends, and those he served with. Thank you for sharing him with us. May the grief of his passing be eased by knowing the positive difference he made in our town.
FMI: Burlington Free Press WCAX
2. Select Board Meeting 9/20/11
The primary purpose of Tuesday’s Select Board meeting was to approve contracts for road construction. Many residents, who live on the back roads, were in attendance, expressing concern about the stopping of local workers. However, Rich Svec, town manager and Rolf Van Schiak, hired to deal with contractors, spoke about the importance of having a bid process.
FEMA will pay 75% of the cost of road repairs, and the state will split the remaining 25% of costs with the town. This not only requires documentation, but also a bid process. To that end, work was halted so the bid process, albeit a short one, could take place. Notices were posted in The Rutland Herald and Eagle Times, on Thursday Sept. 15, with bids due by Sept. 20.
Svec noted that without this process, the town would have to pick up the total cost, which is what happened after the 1973 flood, where the town had to float a 30-year bond to pay off expenses. Svec asked people to submit photos of damaged roads before repairs to the Town Office by one of the following means: e-mail rsvec@comcast.net, drop off CDs, thumb drives and photographs, or snail mail them to PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT 05142
While certain sections of the road projects did have proposed contractors for the Select Board to vote approval on, other areas only had one bid, no bid or was work that could be done by the Cavendish Highway Department, using local contractors on an hourly basis and under the supervision of the Cavendish Highway Dept. Projects that were bid out were as follows:
Jarvis and Sons (Mt. Ascutney): Old Country/Parker Rd Area $114, 485
Jarvis and Sons (Mt. Ascutney): East Rd, Brook Rd Area $31,150
Charlestown Cornerstone (Charlestown, NH) Felchville Gulf, Tarbell Rd area $88,780
J & S Diversified (Cavendish –Turcos): Whitesville/Densmore Rd area $31,500
Areas where bids have yet to be assigned include:
• Twenty Mile Stream/Chapman/Newton Rd;
• Davis Road: Looking for a temporary bridge. Requires three bids, which could be hard to find.
• Town Farm Rd area, including Atkinson and Prior Roads
• Norrie Davis Rd
• Knapp Pond Rd
• Winery Bridge (Alternative ways to access businesses and home(s) were discussed)
Non-residential areas, such as Bailey Rd, are not priority for repair by the time “snow flies.”
Svec noted that every effort will be made to have roads put back to the way they were prior to the flood by the time winter sets in. However, guardrails are another matter. It is anticipated that stopgap measures will be used, but it will be spring before they can be addressed.
The National Guard will be stopping work on Sept. 27 at the “Cavendish Canyon” on route 131. The state has a replacement for the Guard and the road, plus the town’s infrastructure for water and sewage, damaged when the area was carved out, will be back in place for the winter season.
3. Cavendish Related News
Cavendish Recovery Process: While roads and bridges are reopening slowly, Route 131 in Cavendish has a long way to go. It will take a month and a half before traffic can resume, according to Susan Clark, Vermont Department of Transportation District No. 2 information officer. According to Richard Svec, town manager, the chasm is 70 feet deep and several hundred feet wide and the damage was so massive it wiped out critical town services. Rutland Herald, 9/17/11 Note: That the boil water notice, mentioned in the article, is no longer in effect.
Price Tag to Rebuild Route 12 A Strip in W. Lebanon Nears $8 Million: The estimated price tag to repair damage to stores on the Route 12A commercial strip (Kohl’s, Sears, CVS) is approaching $8 million. Valley News
VT 2012 Hospital Budges Show Dramatic Drop in Costs: Budgets totaling $2.059 billion for Vermont’s 14 hospitals were approved by Steve Kimbell, commissioner of the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration (BISHCA). That figure amounted to a 4.6 percent increase over the 2011 budgets, but the increase dropped to 3.8 percent if you didn’t count the roughly $16 million in provider taxes assessed against the hospitals. Press Release
FEMA Disaster Assistance is Available for Renters: Renters who were displaced from their homes by the storm may be eligible for a FEMA grant to help them pay rent for temporary housing. These rental grants are for a limited period until renters’ previous homes are again habitable or they find another home. FEMA also provides grants to renters for a variety of serious disaster-related losses. FMI: 800-621-3362 Press Release
Congress Still Hasn’t Approved Disaster Relief Funds: Vermont is banking on help from the federal government -- to help bounce back from Irene. But Congress still has not approved funding national disaster relief -- which right now is slated to run out of money at the end of the month. WCAX
Flooded Families Disappointed in FEMA Aid: While the maximum grant FEMA can give out is $30,200, the average grant hovers closer to $6,000. In all, 5,271 people have applied for assistance in Vermont. The highest number of applications came from Windsor County with 1,444, then Windham with 1,116, followed by Washington at 930 and then Rutland with 824. WCAX
State Roadway Progress: State officials now estimate the damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure in Vermont will exceed $1 billion. Much of that damage is in towns where 1,950 roads, 200 bridges and 900 culverts need repairs. The state is rushing emergency funds to towns to pay for the work, while they await federal disaster aid. Meanwhile, transportation officials report more progress on repairing state infrastructure. There were 180 separate closures of state roads and bridges following Irene, today that is down to 13. But there still is a long way to go to get the system fully repaired. WCAX
4. 250th Anniversary Planning Continues
Events are continuing to be planned to mark the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of Cavendish. The actual charter signing date, by King George III, was Oct. 12, 1761. A group of people have been working on a series of events for Columbus weekend. Given recent events, we’ve had to scale things back, but we still want to celebrate our “birthday,” and acknowledge that we are quite a town. If you can help in any way, please note the contact person next to each event and get in touch. We can use all the help we can get.
Sept. 25 (Sunday): Settler’s Tour. Meet at 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Tour will include the homes and final resting places of Coffeen, Proctor and Dutton. Please wear comfortable shoes and be advised that the path to the Proctor Cemetery is steep. Contact margoc@tds.net or 226-7807
Oct. 7 (Friday): Community Dance at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) featuring the music of Yankee Chank starting at 7 am. Contact margoc@tds.net or 226-7807
Oct. 8 (Saturday): Parade starting in Cavendish and proceeding to Proctorsville 10 am. Floats and participants will gather at the Mack Molding Parking Lot starting at 9:30. Contact: Leon (Woodie) Woods 226-7476 (floats and participants are needed for this event).
Reception will follow the parade at the Proctorsville Green weather permitting. Contact Sharon Huntley sharon@vermontfarmstead.com
Oct. 9 (Sunday): From Noon to 2pm open house and light refreshments at the area churches. Contact: Lucien (Lu) Choiniere luchoiniere@hotmail.com or 226-8199
Meet the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” and learn about this book’s connection to Cavendish (see article 4 below). 2pm. We hope to be able to hold this event at Crows Corner Bakery & Cafe, in celebration of their return to business after the flood. The school’s art room will be the backup if the bakery is not available that day. Contact margoc@tds.net or 226-7807
Oct. 10 (Monday): Pot Luck Dinner, 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School, which will be followed by a discussion about the history of the various town churches. Contact: Lucien (Lu) Choiniere luchoiniere@hotmail.com or 226-8199
5. Meet the Authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs”
Suzanne Gay Beyer, granddaughter to Leon S. Gay and Una Hadley Gay, will help Cavendish celebrate its 250th anniversary on Sunday, October 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Cavendish Elementary School.
As a young child, Suzanne saw her Vermont Senator grandfather, as bigger than life. “My grandfather owned Cavendish,” she always thought.
That, of course, is not exactly true, but Leon S. Gay served as Vice President, then as Treasurer of Cavendish’s Gay Brothers Woolen mill from 1922 to 1952, along with his brother, Olin D. Gay who was President of the family’s mill…a well liked and respected duo! Leon and Una Gay lived in the sparkling granite mansion, “Glimmerstone,” from 1918 to 1953.
Join Suzanne as she strides down memory lane reminiscing about her grandparents,
“Glimmerstone”, and the handprint the Gays left on their beloved Cavendish.
Suzanne’s grandmother, Una Hadley Gay, was the sister of Art Hadley, the inventor in 1913 of the expansion bracelet. Yes, the well-known and popular wristwatch expansion bracelet has a Cavendish connection.
John S. Pfarr, Connecticut and Rhode Island estate planning attorney, will be here to make that connection. He represented nine of Una’s grandchildren in a 6-year Rhode Island lawsuit to recover a substantial portion of the fortune left by Art Hadley. This is the iconic American story of the underdog coming from behind to prevail. Even John, at the outset, thought he did not have a snowball’s chance in hell of prevailing. Hear what happened to change that assessment.
John’s presentation style includes involving his audience in this case, debating among themselves and voting on the issues. Surprising and shocking details evolve during his presentation that make the case a memorable rollercoaster ride.
Both Suzanne and John co-authored the book, “The Inventor’s Fortune Up For Grabs,” the legacy of the expansion bracelet. They’ll be happy to sign copies and answer questions following the presentation. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Cavendish Historical Society.
Tune in! On November 2nd, Investigation Discovery T.V. “The Will” will feature the Art Hadley inheritance story, inspired by Suzanne and John’s book, “The Inventor’s Fortune Up For Grabs.” www.theinventorsfortune.com
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Floods of 1936 and 1938
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at the CHS Blog.
While the Flood of 1927 has been considered the standard by which all other floods are judged in Cavendish, few realize the damages done in 1936 and again in 1938.
In March, 1936, there was an unusual amount of snow on the ground in early March when rain and warm weather (40’s and 50’s) came March 11-12. More heavy rain came March 16-22. Cavendish received a total of 7.89 inches of rain, not counting the enormous quantity of water from the snow melt. Schools were closed, mail and milk deliveries were not possible trains stopped running, bridges were out and the roads were covered with ice and water. Local fire men and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) were responsible for saving both lives and property. Isabelle Briggs recalled looking out of her childhood home and seeing a “lake” covering the road and the lower part of Whitesville where Twenty Mile Stream flows into the Black River.
The New England Hurricane of 1938 stuck on September 21. Strong winds blew down thousands of trees while heavy rain caused flooding again in the river valleys. In some areas, the flooding was as bad as in the Floods of 1927 and 1936. It was second to the Flood of 1927 in its total devastating impact throughout the state. For Cavendish, the wind damage caused the most destruction. Fallen trees blocked nearly every road the next day.
The disasters of the Flood of 1936 and the Hurricane of 38 at least gave work for road crews and Works Progress Administration (WPA) men in clean-up and road repair. The federal and state governments paid for most of this rather than the town. Logging the trees felled by the hurricane provided jobs as well. From “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish Vermont,” By Barbara B. Kingsbury.
7. Blessing of the Animals: In honor of St Francis of Assisi, St James Methodist Church and Gethsemane Episcopal Church will offer the blessing of animals on the Proctorsville Green at 2pm on Saturday Oct. 1. All are invited.
8. Classifieds
For Free: Gas Dryer and Pine Hutch. Contact: Terry Ranney Terry.Ranney@state.vt.us
The 9/23/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Air Guard Member Dies Working in Cavendish
2. Select Board Meeting 9/20/11
3. Cavendish Related News
4. 250th Anniversary Planning Continues
5. Meet the Authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs”
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Floods of 1936 and 1938
7. Blessing of the Animals
8. Classifieds
1. Air Guard Member Dies Working in Cavendish
While there are a number of articles about “a 46-year-old Vermont Air Guard member on state active duty assisting with cleanup in Cavendish who died unexpectedly Wednesday morning,” many of us who worked in the shelter knew Master Sgt. Shawn Stocker. Since the Air Guard arrived a few days after the Army Guard, were fewer in number and worked a different shift, we saw more of them.
We quickly learned that Stocker had been in Norway before coming here, his wife and kids were in West Rutland, but he had relatives in Cavendish and grew up not far from here. In fact, he related how his father had purchased plots for the family in the Cavendish Cemetery. We told him that alone made him one of us.
Stocker was passionate about what he did. Standing in the familiar A frame military pose, with arms crossed, in the middle of a very crowded dinning area, he spoke of why he did this type of work. “It’s just part of who you are. You can’t teach people this,” he said. “I’ve always known this is what I was meant to do.” Looking very fit and trim, he was a man living his beliefs, and we felt pretty lucky to have him as part of the “Cavendish Canyon” crew.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Stocker’s family, friends, and those he served with. Thank you for sharing him with us. May the grief of his passing be eased by knowing the positive difference he made in our town.
FMI: Burlington Free Press WCAX
2. Select Board Meeting 9/20/11
The primary purpose of Tuesday’s Select Board meeting was to approve contracts for road construction. Many residents, who live on the back roads, were in attendance, expressing concern about the stopping of local workers. However, Rich Svec, town manager and Rolf Van Schiak, hired to deal with contractors, spoke about the importance of having a bid process.
FEMA will pay 75% of the cost of road repairs, and the state will split the remaining 25% of costs with the town. This not only requires documentation, but also a bid process. To that end, work was halted so the bid process, albeit a short one, could take place. Notices were posted in The Rutland Herald and Eagle Times, on Thursday Sept. 15, with bids due by Sept. 20.
Svec noted that without this process, the town would have to pick up the total cost, which is what happened after the 1973 flood, where the town had to float a 30-year bond to pay off expenses. Svec asked people to submit photos of damaged roads before repairs to the Town Office by one of the following means: e-mail rsvec@comcast.net, drop off CDs, thumb drives and photographs, or snail mail them to PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT 05142
While certain sections of the road projects did have proposed contractors for the Select Board to vote approval on, other areas only had one bid, no bid or was work that could be done by the Cavendish Highway Department, using local contractors on an hourly basis and under the supervision of the Cavendish Highway Dept. Projects that were bid out were as follows:
Jarvis and Sons (Mt. Ascutney): Old Country/Parker Rd Area $114, 485
Jarvis and Sons (Mt. Ascutney): East Rd, Brook Rd Area $31,150
Charlestown Cornerstone (Charlestown, NH) Felchville Gulf, Tarbell Rd area $88,780
J & S Diversified (Cavendish –Turcos): Whitesville/Densmore Rd area $31,500
Areas where bids have yet to be assigned include:
• Twenty Mile Stream/Chapman/Newton Rd;
• Davis Road: Looking for a temporary bridge. Requires three bids, which could be hard to find.
• Town Farm Rd area, including Atkinson and Prior Roads
• Norrie Davis Rd
• Knapp Pond Rd
• Winery Bridge (Alternative ways to access businesses and home(s) were discussed)
Non-residential areas, such as Bailey Rd, are not priority for repair by the time “snow flies.”
Svec noted that every effort will be made to have roads put back to the way they were prior to the flood by the time winter sets in. However, guardrails are another matter. It is anticipated that stopgap measures will be used, but it will be spring before they can be addressed.
The National Guard will be stopping work on Sept. 27 at the “Cavendish Canyon” on route 131. The state has a replacement for the Guard and the road, plus the town’s infrastructure for water and sewage, damaged when the area was carved out, will be back in place for the winter season.
3. Cavendish Related News
Cavendish Recovery Process: While roads and bridges are reopening slowly, Route 131 in Cavendish has a long way to go. It will take a month and a half before traffic can resume, according to Susan Clark, Vermont Department of Transportation District No. 2 information officer. According to Richard Svec, town manager, the chasm is 70 feet deep and several hundred feet wide and the damage was so massive it wiped out critical town services. Rutland Herald, 9/17/11 Note: That the boil water notice, mentioned in the article, is no longer in effect.
Price Tag to Rebuild Route 12 A Strip in W. Lebanon Nears $8 Million: The estimated price tag to repair damage to stores on the Route 12A commercial strip (Kohl’s, Sears, CVS) is approaching $8 million. Valley News
VT 2012 Hospital Budges Show Dramatic Drop in Costs: Budgets totaling $2.059 billion for Vermont’s 14 hospitals were approved by Steve Kimbell, commissioner of the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration (BISHCA). That figure amounted to a 4.6 percent increase over the 2011 budgets, but the increase dropped to 3.8 percent if you didn’t count the roughly $16 million in provider taxes assessed against the hospitals. Press Release
FEMA Disaster Assistance is Available for Renters: Renters who were displaced from their homes by the storm may be eligible for a FEMA grant to help them pay rent for temporary housing. These rental grants are for a limited period until renters’ previous homes are again habitable or they find another home. FEMA also provides grants to renters for a variety of serious disaster-related losses. FMI: 800-621-3362 Press Release
Congress Still Hasn’t Approved Disaster Relief Funds: Vermont is banking on help from the federal government -- to help bounce back from Irene. But Congress still has not approved funding national disaster relief -- which right now is slated to run out of money at the end of the month. WCAX
Flooded Families Disappointed in FEMA Aid: While the maximum grant FEMA can give out is $30,200, the average grant hovers closer to $6,000. In all, 5,271 people have applied for assistance in Vermont. The highest number of applications came from Windsor County with 1,444, then Windham with 1,116, followed by Washington at 930 and then Rutland with 824. WCAX
State Roadway Progress: State officials now estimate the damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure in Vermont will exceed $1 billion. Much of that damage is in towns where 1,950 roads, 200 bridges and 900 culverts need repairs. The state is rushing emergency funds to towns to pay for the work, while they await federal disaster aid. Meanwhile, transportation officials report more progress on repairing state infrastructure. There were 180 separate closures of state roads and bridges following Irene, today that is down to 13. But there still is a long way to go to get the system fully repaired. WCAX
4. 250th Anniversary Planning Continues
Events are continuing to be planned to mark the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of Cavendish. The actual charter signing date, by King George III, was Oct. 12, 1761. A group of people have been working on a series of events for Columbus weekend. Given recent events, we’ve had to scale things back, but we still want to celebrate our “birthday,” and acknowledge that we are quite a town. If you can help in any way, please note the contact person next to each event and get in touch. We can use all the help we can get.
Sept. 25 (Sunday): Settler’s Tour. Meet at 2 pm at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Tour will include the homes and final resting places of Coffeen, Proctor and Dutton. Please wear comfortable shoes and be advised that the path to the Proctor Cemetery is steep. Contact margoc@tds.net or 226-7807
Oct. 7 (Friday): Community Dance at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) featuring the music of Yankee Chank starting at 7 am. Contact margoc@tds.net or 226-7807
Oct. 8 (Saturday): Parade starting in Cavendish and proceeding to Proctorsville 10 am. Floats and participants will gather at the Mack Molding Parking Lot starting at 9:30. Contact: Leon (Woodie) Woods 226-7476 (floats and participants are needed for this event).
Reception will follow the parade at the Proctorsville Green weather permitting. Contact Sharon Huntley sharon@vermontfarmstead.com
Oct. 9 (Sunday): From Noon to 2pm open house and light refreshments at the area churches. Contact: Lucien (Lu) Choiniere luchoiniere@hotmail.com or 226-8199
Meet the authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs,” and learn about this book’s connection to Cavendish (see article 4 below). 2pm. We hope to be able to hold this event at Crows Corner Bakery & Cafe, in celebration of their return to business after the flood. The school’s art room will be the backup if the bakery is not available that day. Contact margoc@tds.net or 226-7807
Oct. 10 (Monday): Pot Luck Dinner, 5 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School, which will be followed by a discussion about the history of the various town churches. Contact: Lucien (Lu) Choiniere luchoiniere@hotmail.com or 226-8199
5. Meet the Authors of “The Inventor’s Fortune Up for Grabs”
Suzanne Gay Beyer, granddaughter to Leon S. Gay and Una Hadley Gay, will help Cavendish celebrate its 250th anniversary on Sunday, October 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Cavendish Elementary School.
As a young child, Suzanne saw her Vermont Senator grandfather, as bigger than life. “My grandfather owned Cavendish,” she always thought.
That, of course, is not exactly true, but Leon S. Gay served as Vice President, then as Treasurer of Cavendish’s Gay Brothers Woolen mill from 1922 to 1952, along with his brother, Olin D. Gay who was President of the family’s mill…a well liked and respected duo! Leon and Una Gay lived in the sparkling granite mansion, “Glimmerstone,” from 1918 to 1953.
Join Suzanne as she strides down memory lane reminiscing about her grandparents,
“Glimmerstone”, and the handprint the Gays left on their beloved Cavendish.
Suzanne’s grandmother, Una Hadley Gay, was the sister of Art Hadley, the inventor in 1913 of the expansion bracelet. Yes, the well-known and popular wristwatch expansion bracelet has a Cavendish connection.
John S. Pfarr, Connecticut and Rhode Island estate planning attorney, will be here to make that connection. He represented nine of Una’s grandchildren in a 6-year Rhode Island lawsuit to recover a substantial portion of the fortune left by Art Hadley. This is the iconic American story of the underdog coming from behind to prevail. Even John, at the outset, thought he did not have a snowball’s chance in hell of prevailing. Hear what happened to change that assessment.
John’s presentation style includes involving his audience in this case, debating among themselves and voting on the issues. Surprising and shocking details evolve during his presentation that make the case a memorable rollercoaster ride.
Both Suzanne and John co-authored the book, “The Inventor’s Fortune Up For Grabs,” the legacy of the expansion bracelet. They’ll be happy to sign copies and answer questions following the presentation. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Cavendish Historical Society.
Tune in! On November 2nd, Investigation Discovery T.V. “The Will” will feature the Art Hadley inheritance story, inspired by Suzanne and John’s book, “The Inventor’s Fortune Up For Grabs.” www.theinventorsfortune.com
6. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: Floods of 1936 and 1938
These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at the CHS Blog.
While the Flood of 1927 has been considered the standard by which all other floods are judged in Cavendish, few realize the damages done in 1936 and again in 1938.
In March, 1936, there was an unusual amount of snow on the ground in early March when rain and warm weather (40’s and 50’s) came March 11-12. More heavy rain came March 16-22. Cavendish received a total of 7.89 inches of rain, not counting the enormous quantity of water from the snow melt. Schools were closed, mail and milk deliveries were not possible trains stopped running, bridges were out and the roads were covered with ice and water. Local fire men and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) were responsible for saving both lives and property. Isabelle Briggs recalled looking out of her childhood home and seeing a “lake” covering the road and the lower part of Whitesville where Twenty Mile Stream flows into the Black River.
The New England Hurricane of 1938 stuck on September 21. Strong winds blew down thousands of trees while heavy rain caused flooding again in the river valleys. In some areas, the flooding was as bad as in the Floods of 1927 and 1936. It was second to the Flood of 1927 in its total devastating impact throughout the state. For Cavendish, the wind damage caused the most destruction. Fallen trees blocked nearly every road the next day.
The disasters of the Flood of 1936 and the Hurricane of 38 at least gave work for road crews and Works Progress Administration (WPA) men in clean-up and road repair. The federal and state governments paid for most of this rather than the town. Logging the trees felled by the hurricane provided jobs as well. From “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish Vermont,” By Barbara B. Kingsbury.
7. Blessing of the Animals: In honor of St Francis of Assisi, St James Methodist Church and Gethsemane Episcopal Church will offer the blessing of animals on the Proctorsville Green at 2pm on Saturday Oct. 1. All are invited.
8. Classifieds
For Free: Gas Dryer and Pine Hutch. Contact: Terry Ranney Terry.Ranney@state.vt.us
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Select Board Meeting Agenda 9/20/11
Selectmen’s Meeting, Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 in the Cavendish Town Office Meeting Room at 5:00 pm
................................................................ AGENDA ................................................................
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Sign Orders
3. Town Manager and Special Project Manager to review and discuss disaster response activities in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene with the Board.
4. Adjourn
................................................................ AGENDA ................................................................
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Sign Orders
3. Town Manager and Special Project Manager to review and discuss disaster response activities in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene with the Board.
4. Adjourn
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Disaster Recovery Center in Ludlow/Resource Update
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
FEMA and SBA have opened a Disaster Recovery Center in the Okemo Marketplace, between the Cool Moose Café and Darkside. Designed for both individuals and businesses, it is open from 8-6, seven days a week. Some of the services provided include: Guidance regarding disaster recovery; Clarification of any written correspondence received; Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information; Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance; Status of applications being processed by FEMA; and SBA program information. Local resource information will also be available at the Center.
FEMA applications need to be filed by Oct. 31. Whether you are a business, homeowner or renter, and have sustained damage from Hurricane Irene, it is important that you file for FEMA, as so many opportunities stem from there. You are in no way obligated to take a low interest loan if it is offered. Many programs will list having filed with FEMA as one of their requirements.
An update Irene Recovery Information for Cavendish VT has been posted to http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2011/09/irene-recovery-information-for.html Also available in handout form from the town office, this week’s icon is a life preserver and is dated 9/18/11. You can also obtain a PDF version by e-mailing margoc@tds.net
FEMA and SBA have opened a Disaster Recovery Center in the Okemo Marketplace, between the Cool Moose Café and Darkside. Designed for both individuals and businesses, it is open from 8-6, seven days a week. Some of the services provided include: Guidance regarding disaster recovery; Clarification of any written correspondence received; Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information; Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance; Status of applications being processed by FEMA; and SBA program information. Local resource information will also be available at the Center.
FEMA applications need to be filed by Oct. 31. Whether you are a business, homeowner or renter, and have sustained damage from Hurricane Irene, it is important that you file for FEMA, as so many opportunities stem from there. You are in no way obligated to take a low interest loan if it is offered. Many programs will list having filed with FEMA as one of their requirements.
An update Irene Recovery Information for Cavendish VT has been posted to http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2011/09/irene-recovery-information-for.html Also available in handout form from the town office, this week’s icon is a life preserver and is dated 9/18/11. You can also obtain a PDF version by e-mailing margoc@tds.net
Friday, September 16, 2011
Boil Water Notice Lifted
Please be informed that the Cavendish Muncipal Water "Boil Water Order" has been lifted effective immediately as per State of Vermont Water Supply Division.
Cavendish Update 9/16/11 Irene Recovery/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
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page.
The 9/16/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting 9/12/11
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Black River Good Neighbor Offers Assistance to Hurricane Victims
4. Amnesty Days at Cavendish Library
5. Vermont Hardwoods Relief for Flooring
6. CTES: School Board Meeting Agenda/No Buses for CTES This Coming Week
7. Cavendish Events 9/16/11-9/23/11
1. Select Board Meeting 9/12/11
At Monday night’s Select Board meeting, the majority of the time was spent on the town’s infrastructure. Three water mains were damaged in the flood, as were nearly all of the roads, bridges and culverts and the sewage system. The cost to repair will be high, but there is a hope that FEMA will help with the rebuild. In the mean time, water and sewage are functioning, but need considerable work to be fully restored. A full assessment has yet to be made of how the flood could ultimately impact the people who live and work here.
While the immediate crisis of the flooding, resulting from Irene, is over, that is not the case for the functioning of the town itself. Selectmen as well as members of the audience stated that the previous method of town governance needed to change to handle the new challenges facing the town. Selectman Ed Garrow recommended that the select board establish committees to address such issues as roads, bridges and culverts; water/sewage; emergency management/ preparedness; and the impact on businesses and individuals living in the town.
Garrow, along with other members of the audience, is very concerned about the long-term implications of how business will fair in Cavendish. As the plant manager for Mack Molding, he expressed concern that the infrastructure of town water/sewage could impact his ability to keep the 100 workers at the plant employed. The washed out bridge directly impacts the functioning of the Cavendish Canine Camp and several homeowners expressed concerned about damaged culverts in their immediate area.
While Mike Ripley was asked to serve as the town’s emergency coordinator, since none was in place at the time of the flood, more of this discussion will take place at the weekly Tuesday Select Board meetings. These meetings will take place at 5 pm at the Town Office on Tuesdays until further notice. Agendas will be posted to www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com as they are received.
2. Cavendish Related News
Flipped Truck Injures Driver in Proctorsville: According to Capt. Robert Glidden of the Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department, a dump trailer flipped on its side, as it was unloading boulders over a Route 103 bank. That pulled over the truck cabin trapping the driver and there was extensive damage at the scene. The driver was flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., for treatment. Rutland Herald
Irene Damage: Public Infrastructure Costs with be in “Hundreds of Millions:” About 700 residential structures were severely damaged or destroyed, according to preliminary estimates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A total of 423 owner-occupied dwellings were significantly damaged, said Mark Bosma, communications director for Vermont Emergency Management. About 101 homes were destroyed. The number of damaged rental properties totaled 146; about 23 were destroyed. The damage to state highways and bridges will be in the hundreds of millions, according to a Vermont Agency of Transportation official. Press Release
Disaster Aid Won’t Affect Seniors’ Benefits: Vermont senior citizens who apply for or receive federal disaster assistance after Tropical Storm Irene will not lose Social Security benefits or pay additional taxes, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency officials. Press Release
Post Irene Hazards Rarely Linked to Increase in Illness: Sediment, mud and dust is usually not any more contaminated than the soil that was there before a storm – unless it’s near a source of contamination that was disrupted by flooding such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial chemicals or raw sewage. The Health Department advises Vermonters to stay away from contaminated areas that require professional cleanup. Press Release
VT Telecommunications Authority Seeks Public Input on Broadband Plan: The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) is seeking public input on issues affecting high-speed internet coverage in Vermont, and how the VTA can best support broadband expansion using state funds appropriated in its FY2012 capital appropriation. In addition to comments related to broadband generally, comments specifically on expansion of fiber optic facilities are also being solicited. Press Release
Put Mold On Hold: Federal Emergency Management Agency officials encourage residents to take quick action to minimize the damage caused by mold after the flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. “Don’t wait for a FEMA inspector before you clean up, but be sure to take proper precautions,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Craig Gilbert. “You want to stop mold from spreading. Take pictures to document your damage.” Press Release
Ludlow Businesses Struggle to Get Back on Their Feet: Irene gutted two business complexes in Ludlow. WCAX
Vtel Announces Financial Assistance to Flood Victims: VTel has announced that it will offer up to three months of free basic telephone and Internet service to any current customer whose home or business was affected by Tropical Storm Irene. The company is also suspending any telephone disconnections for up to three months. Also, starting immediately, VTel is offering discounted Internet service to any family in the company’s service area with a full-time student who receives free lunches from the National School Lunch Program. Customers interested in taking advantage of these offers are invited to call VTel at 1-800-279-4049. Press Release
3. Black River Good Neighbor Offers Assistance to Hurricane Victims
Black River Good Neighbor Services’ Board of Directors unanimously voted to give immediate assistance to anyone who has suffered a loss from Hurricane Irene. Assistance will take several forms. First, immediate needs for food, clothing, and financial aid for specific BRGNS covered purposes will be addressed at the RBGNS Food Shelf and Thrift Store on an ongoing basis. Second, certificates will be available for purchase of winter clothing, furniture, and household goods at the upcoming rummage sale. Families will receive certificates based on the number of family members.
Peter LaBelle, President of the Board, said “People haven’t just lost material goods such as homes, heating systems, fuel, furniture, carpeting, fire wood etc. They’ve also lost jobs because businesses have closed. We want to help everyone we can. Food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance are all available. People just have to ask for it”.
Hurricane victims may come to BRGNS Thrift Shop and Food Shelf to see Audrey Bridge to obtain certificates redeemable at the rummage sale, September 23rd through 25th, at Fletcher Farm (located at 611 Rt.103 South). There they may redeem their certificates for furniture, clothing, or house wares. Certificates are not transferable.
Any flood victim living in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Belmont, Proctorsville, Cavendish, or Plymouth and who has verifiable documentation of loss (such as FEMA documentation or a document from a town official, a local fire department or an insurance company) is eligible for certificates worth $75 per family member. The Certificates must be obtained by September 23rd. If you need a note, contact Abe Gross 226-7131.
4. Amnesty Days at Cavendish Library
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library in Proctorsville Vermont, will have amnesty days the week of October 10-14. Return any library materials you may have around your house, no questions asked and receive some free chocolate. For more information, contact Kata at 226-7503.
5. Vermont Hardwoods Relief for Flooring
Those with homes in towns of Chester, Andover, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Ludlow, Weston and Grafton who have lost their house or need to replace floors that have been damaged by the flood are eligible for hardwood or pine flooring at very low to no cost. While this offer is limited to 500 SF of available materials on a first come, first served basis, The Flooring Mill expects to be able to supply floors for at least a dozen homes in the greater Chester area.
. If your home was totally destroyed, you will be eligible for free flooring material.
. If you suffered water damage only, you will be eligible for a discount of 75% off the retail price.
You must provide evidence of loss, in the form of photos and/or documents identifying the property as yours and showing the damage or loss, or a copy of documentation from FEMA or an insurance assessor showing the type and amount of loss. FMI: 888-442-7396 http://vermonthardwoods.com/hurricane_irene_relief.asp
6. CTES: School Board Meeting Agenda/No Buses for CTES This Coming Week
Principal George Thomson states, While we recognize the town is doing a great job trying to restore all of the roads and bridges in Cavendish, we are not ready to put the school bus on roads which are very. compromised. I road the "revamped" route with Rolph van Sheik who planned to talk to the highway department about work needed before the roads would be safe for bus transport. Sorry not exactly what you were looking for. We will reevaluate on a regular basis.
The CTES School Board will meeting on Sept. 20 at 5 pm at the school. The agenda will include: Hiring School Based Clinician; Health Reimbursement Arrangement; Transportation report; Teacher Evaluation System and Policies.
7. Cavendish Events 9/16/11-9/23/11
September 16 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
September 17(Saturday): Cavendish Irene Recovery Workshop, 10 am Cavendish School. FEMA, and other groups will be there to answer questions and help fill out forms. FMI: 226-7736
September 20 (Tuesday): The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce has invited FEMA and SBA to answer questions at the Cool Moose Café in Ludlow at 10:30 am. FMI 228-5830.
• Select Board meeting at 5 pm at the Town Office.
• CTES School Board Meeting, 5 pm at the school. See Item 6 for the agenda
September 22 (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
September 23 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page.
The 9/16/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting 9/12/11
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Black River Good Neighbor Offers Assistance to Hurricane Victims
4. Amnesty Days at Cavendish Library
5. Vermont Hardwoods Relief for Flooring
6. CTES: School Board Meeting Agenda/No Buses for CTES This Coming Week
7. Cavendish Events 9/16/11-9/23/11
1. Select Board Meeting 9/12/11
At Monday night’s Select Board meeting, the majority of the time was spent on the town’s infrastructure. Three water mains were damaged in the flood, as were nearly all of the roads, bridges and culverts and the sewage system. The cost to repair will be high, but there is a hope that FEMA will help with the rebuild. In the mean time, water and sewage are functioning, but need considerable work to be fully restored. A full assessment has yet to be made of how the flood could ultimately impact the people who live and work here.
While the immediate crisis of the flooding, resulting from Irene, is over, that is not the case for the functioning of the town itself. Selectmen as well as members of the audience stated that the previous method of town governance needed to change to handle the new challenges facing the town. Selectman Ed Garrow recommended that the select board establish committees to address such issues as roads, bridges and culverts; water/sewage; emergency management/ preparedness; and the impact on businesses and individuals living in the town.
Garrow, along with other members of the audience, is very concerned about the long-term implications of how business will fair in Cavendish. As the plant manager for Mack Molding, he expressed concern that the infrastructure of town water/sewage could impact his ability to keep the 100 workers at the plant employed. The washed out bridge directly impacts the functioning of the Cavendish Canine Camp and several homeowners expressed concerned about damaged culverts in their immediate area.
While Mike Ripley was asked to serve as the town’s emergency coordinator, since none was in place at the time of the flood, more of this discussion will take place at the weekly Tuesday Select Board meetings. These meetings will take place at 5 pm at the Town Office on Tuesdays until further notice. Agendas will be posted to www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com as they are received.
2. Cavendish Related News
Flipped Truck Injures Driver in Proctorsville: According to Capt. Robert Glidden of the Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department, a dump trailer flipped on its side, as it was unloading boulders over a Route 103 bank. That pulled over the truck cabin trapping the driver and there was extensive damage at the scene. The driver was flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., for treatment. Rutland Herald
Irene Damage: Public Infrastructure Costs with be in “Hundreds of Millions:” About 700 residential structures were severely damaged or destroyed, according to preliminary estimates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A total of 423 owner-occupied dwellings were significantly damaged, said Mark Bosma, communications director for Vermont Emergency Management. About 101 homes were destroyed. The number of damaged rental properties totaled 146; about 23 were destroyed. The damage to state highways and bridges will be in the hundreds of millions, according to a Vermont Agency of Transportation official. Press Release
Disaster Aid Won’t Affect Seniors’ Benefits: Vermont senior citizens who apply for or receive federal disaster assistance after Tropical Storm Irene will not lose Social Security benefits or pay additional taxes, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency officials. Press Release
Post Irene Hazards Rarely Linked to Increase in Illness: Sediment, mud and dust is usually not any more contaminated than the soil that was there before a storm – unless it’s near a source of contamination that was disrupted by flooding such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial chemicals or raw sewage. The Health Department advises Vermonters to stay away from contaminated areas that require professional cleanup. Press Release
VT Telecommunications Authority Seeks Public Input on Broadband Plan: The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) is seeking public input on issues affecting high-speed internet coverage in Vermont, and how the VTA can best support broadband expansion using state funds appropriated in its FY2012 capital appropriation. In addition to comments related to broadband generally, comments specifically on expansion of fiber optic facilities are also being solicited. Press Release
Put Mold On Hold: Federal Emergency Management Agency officials encourage residents to take quick action to minimize the damage caused by mold after the flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. “Don’t wait for a FEMA inspector before you clean up, but be sure to take proper precautions,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Craig Gilbert. “You want to stop mold from spreading. Take pictures to document your damage.” Press Release
Ludlow Businesses Struggle to Get Back on Their Feet: Irene gutted two business complexes in Ludlow. WCAX
Vtel Announces Financial Assistance to Flood Victims: VTel has announced that it will offer up to three months of free basic telephone and Internet service to any current customer whose home or business was affected by Tropical Storm Irene. The company is also suspending any telephone disconnections for up to three months. Also, starting immediately, VTel is offering discounted Internet service to any family in the company’s service area with a full-time student who receives free lunches from the National School Lunch Program. Customers interested in taking advantage of these offers are invited to call VTel at 1-800-279-4049. Press Release
3. Black River Good Neighbor Offers Assistance to Hurricane Victims
Black River Good Neighbor Services’ Board of Directors unanimously voted to give immediate assistance to anyone who has suffered a loss from Hurricane Irene. Assistance will take several forms. First, immediate needs for food, clothing, and financial aid for specific BRGNS covered purposes will be addressed at the RBGNS Food Shelf and Thrift Store on an ongoing basis. Second, certificates will be available for purchase of winter clothing, furniture, and household goods at the upcoming rummage sale. Families will receive certificates based on the number of family members.
Peter LaBelle, President of the Board, said “People haven’t just lost material goods such as homes, heating systems, fuel, furniture, carpeting, fire wood etc. They’ve also lost jobs because businesses have closed. We want to help everyone we can. Food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance are all available. People just have to ask for it”.
Hurricane victims may come to BRGNS Thrift Shop and Food Shelf to see Audrey Bridge to obtain certificates redeemable at the rummage sale, September 23rd through 25th, at Fletcher Farm (located at 611 Rt.103 South). There they may redeem their certificates for furniture, clothing, or house wares. Certificates are not transferable.
Any flood victim living in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Belmont, Proctorsville, Cavendish, or Plymouth and who has verifiable documentation of loss (such as FEMA documentation or a document from a town official, a local fire department or an insurance company) is eligible for certificates worth $75 per family member. The Certificates must be obtained by September 23rd. If you need a note, contact Abe Gross 226-7131.
4. Amnesty Days at Cavendish Library
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library in Proctorsville Vermont, will have amnesty days the week of October 10-14. Return any library materials you may have around your house, no questions asked and receive some free chocolate. For more information, contact Kata at 226-7503.
5. Vermont Hardwoods Relief for Flooring
Those with homes in towns of Chester, Andover, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Ludlow, Weston and Grafton who have lost their house or need to replace floors that have been damaged by the flood are eligible for hardwood or pine flooring at very low to no cost. While this offer is limited to 500 SF of available materials on a first come, first served basis, The Flooring Mill expects to be able to supply floors for at least a dozen homes in the greater Chester area.
. If your home was totally destroyed, you will be eligible for free flooring material.
. If you suffered water damage only, you will be eligible for a discount of 75% off the retail price.
You must provide evidence of loss, in the form of photos and/or documents identifying the property as yours and showing the damage or loss, or a copy of documentation from FEMA or an insurance assessor showing the type and amount of loss. FMI: 888-442-7396 http://vermonthardwoods.com/hurricane_irene_relief.asp
6. CTES: School Board Meeting Agenda/No Buses for CTES This Coming Week
Principal George Thomson states, While we recognize the town is doing a great job trying to restore all of the roads and bridges in Cavendish, we are not ready to put the school bus on roads which are very. compromised. I road the "revamped" route with Rolph van Sheik who planned to talk to the highway department about work needed before the roads would be safe for bus transport. Sorry not exactly what you were looking for. We will reevaluate on a regular basis.
The CTES School Board will meeting on Sept. 20 at 5 pm at the school. The agenda will include: Hiring School Based Clinician; Health Reimbursement Arrangement; Transportation report; Teacher Evaluation System and Policies.
7. Cavendish Events 9/16/11-9/23/11
September 16 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
September 17(Saturday): Cavendish Irene Recovery Workshop, 10 am Cavendish School. FEMA, and other groups will be there to answer questions and help fill out forms. FMI: 226-7736
September 20 (Tuesday): The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce has invited FEMA and SBA to answer questions at the Cool Moose Café in Ludlow at 10:30 am. FMI 228-5830.
• Select Board meeting at 5 pm at the Town Office.
• CTES School Board Meeting, 5 pm at the school. See Item 6 for the agenda
September 22 (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
September 23 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Recovery Assistance Workshop 9/17/11
The following note was posted to the Cavendish Facebook page by Carrie Roy King on Wednesday Sept. 14, I was so sorry to see what a toll Hurricane Irene took on this community. I really admire the people of Cavendish for rallying together so well after this tragedy. I suspect you were a close knit community before this happened. I am so impressed by the communication, organization and action that you have demonstrated. Keep up the good work. You are role models for how a strong and supportive community works. Life will never be the same but it will get better.
The recovery phase of situations like this are the most difficult, so King’s comments are a good reminder of what we’ve done and are capable of. To that end on Saturday September 17, the Cavendish Town Office and Cavendish based community organizations, will sponsor a workshop for the following:
• Those whose home, business, property or ability to work or live was damaged by Irene
• If you need assistance in filling out forms, dealing with FEMA and/or insurance companies
• If you need assistance in recovering from the flood.
While the workshop is still adding representatives from various groups, right up until the event itself, representatives from FEMA, SBA (Small business loans), Black River Good Neighbors, SEVCA, legal assistance and other community groups will be on hand to address individual needs. Lunch will be provided. FMI: 226-7292.
The recovery phase of situations like this are the most difficult, so King’s comments are a good reminder of what we’ve done and are capable of. To that end on Saturday September 17, the Cavendish Town Office and Cavendish based community organizations, will sponsor a workshop for the following:
• Those whose home, business, property or ability to work or live was damaged by Irene
• If you need assistance in filling out forms, dealing with FEMA and/or insurance companies
• If you need assistance in recovering from the flood.
While the workshop is still adding representatives from various groups, right up until the event itself, representatives from FEMA, SBA (Small business loans), Black River Good Neighbors, SEVCA, legal assistance and other community groups will be on hand to address individual needs. Lunch will be provided. FMI: 226-7292.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Cavendish Irene Recovery Workshop
On September 17, at 10 am, the Cavendish Town Office and Cavendish based community organizations, will sponsor a workshop for the following:
• Those whose home, business, property or ability to work or live was damaged by Irene
• If you need assistance in filling out forms, dealing with FEMA and/or insurance companies
• If you need assistance in recovering from the flood.
While the workshop is still being planned, representatives from FEMA, SBA (Small business loans), Black River Good Neighbors, SEVCA, legal assistance and other community groups will be on hand to address individual needs.
Lunch will be provided.
For more information, 226-7292.
• Those whose home, business, property or ability to work or live was damaged by Irene
• If you need assistance in filling out forms, dealing with FEMA and/or insurance companies
• If you need assistance in recovering from the flood.
While the workshop is still being planned, representatives from FEMA, SBA (Small business loans), Black River Good Neighbors, SEVCA, legal assistance and other community groups will be on hand to address individual needs.
Lunch will be provided.
For more information, 226-7292.
Monday, September 12, 2011
SPECIAL NOTICE TO CAVENDISH MUNICPAL WATER USERS
FOLLOWING TROPICAL STORM IRENE DRINKING WATER WARNING - BOIL WATER NOTICE REMAINS IN EFFECT
As a Temporary Precaution, you are advised to
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE CONSUMING
You have received this special notice because your household or location has recently experienced a condition where there
was temporarily NO water flow from faucets and fixtures and because our water system sustained damage during the recent
flooding event. Please take the time to read this important information.
As a precautionary measure, you are advised to boil tap water which is used for human consumption including drinking and
cooking. A no flow condition may have allowed for possible contamination of the system due to the possibility of back-flow
and breaches in system piping. In light of this possibility, you are advised to boil your water before human consumption until
the Town conducts bacteriological testing to verify that there is no contamination. We will be taking test samples at several
key locations around the system to determine that contamination is not present. When it is verified that the water in your
vicinity is not contaminated we will issue a notice as to when we are able to lift this Boil Water Order.
Our system always has a small amount of chlorine in the water as it is a requirement for a public water system. You may
notice that the water now has a stronger smell of chlorination as we have had to temporarily raise the chlorine content for
greater disinfection potential.
You should be reminded that our system routinely monitors for the presence of many drinking water contaminants including
total coliform bacteria tests. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves, but their presence may indicate
that other bacteria that can make you sick could possibly be present in the water as disinfection efforts may not be adequate.
These other types of bacteria are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
What should I do?
• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a full boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, hand washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
• The municipal system will conduct total coliform bacteria testing. This type of bacteria, which are naturally present in our environment and not generally harmful to humans, are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. We will inform you of the results and when we demonstrate that there is no presence of the total coliform, we will lift the boil order. You should know that the State Water Supply Division is our regulatory agency and they are aware of this situation. We send copies of all testing for potential contaminants to the Stateof Vermont for its record and for the purposes of their regulatory oversight.
• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
What happened? What is being done?
Due to severe damages sustained during and after Tropical Storm Irene, the Cavendish Municipal Water System
experienced a situation where the system piping at two locations in the piping network was seriously compromised. The
system lost pressure due to the resulting leaks in the water mains and we lost the majority of the 500,000+ gallons of water
that we normally have in the pipes and storage tanks. We have made repairs including temporary bi-pass piping in two
neighborhoods in order to get water back all around the system. Having lost so much water from the system, it took quite
a while to restore service to all points and to get system pressure up and close to normal levels. Users are asked to still use
water conservatively until the tanks are fully back to normal (full) status so that the refilling process takes place as quickly
as possible.
For more information, please contact Richard Svec, Town Manager at 226-7291 or Dave Duquette, Chief Water System
Operator at 226-7743 at the Town of Cavendish Municipal Water System, 37 High Street, P.O. Box 126, Cavendish, Vermont
05142-0126. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Water Supply
Division at (800) 823-6500.
Please share this information with all the other people who use the water from your residence or business. You can do this
by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. While the water looks normal, please be safe and follow the instructions in this notice!
As a Temporary Precaution, you are advised to
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE CONSUMING
You have received this special notice because your household or location has recently experienced a condition where there
was temporarily NO water flow from faucets and fixtures and because our water system sustained damage during the recent
flooding event. Please take the time to read this important information.
As a precautionary measure, you are advised to boil tap water which is used for human consumption including drinking and
cooking. A no flow condition may have allowed for possible contamination of the system due to the possibility of back-flow
and breaches in system piping. In light of this possibility, you are advised to boil your water before human consumption until
the Town conducts bacteriological testing to verify that there is no contamination. We will be taking test samples at several
key locations around the system to determine that contamination is not present. When it is verified that the water in your
vicinity is not contaminated we will issue a notice as to when we are able to lift this Boil Water Order.
Our system always has a small amount of chlorine in the water as it is a requirement for a public water system. You may
notice that the water now has a stronger smell of chlorination as we have had to temporarily raise the chlorine content for
greater disinfection potential.
You should be reminded that our system routinely monitors for the presence of many drinking water contaminants including
total coliform bacteria tests. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves, but their presence may indicate
that other bacteria that can make you sick could possibly be present in the water as disinfection efforts may not be adequate.
These other types of bacteria are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
What should I do?
• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a full boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, hand washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
• The municipal system will conduct total coliform bacteria testing. This type of bacteria, which are naturally present in our environment and not generally harmful to humans, are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. We will inform you of the results and when we demonstrate that there is no presence of the total coliform, we will lift the boil order. You should know that the State Water Supply Division is our regulatory agency and they are aware of this situation. We send copies of all testing for potential contaminants to the Stateof Vermont for its record and for the purposes of their regulatory oversight.
• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
What happened? What is being done?
Due to severe damages sustained during and after Tropical Storm Irene, the Cavendish Municipal Water System
experienced a situation where the system piping at two locations in the piping network was seriously compromised. The
system lost pressure due to the resulting leaks in the water mains and we lost the majority of the 500,000+ gallons of water
that we normally have in the pipes and storage tanks. We have made repairs including temporary bi-pass piping in two
neighborhoods in order to get water back all around the system. Having lost so much water from the system, it took quite
a while to restore service to all points and to get system pressure up and close to normal levels. Users are asked to still use
water conservatively until the tanks are fully back to normal (full) status so that the refilling process takes place as quickly
as possible.
For more information, please contact Richard Svec, Town Manager at 226-7291 or Dave Duquette, Chief Water System
Operator at 226-7743 at the Town of Cavendish Municipal Water System, 37 High Street, P.O. Box 126, Cavendish, Vermont
05142-0126. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Water Supply
Division at (800) 823-6500.
Please share this information with all the other people who use the water from your residence or business. You can do this
by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. While the water looks normal, please be safe and follow the instructions in this notice!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Note from Vermont Department of Health
BURLINGTON - The Vermont Department of Health has not seen an increase in gastrointestinal or respiratory illnesses since Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont on Aug. 28.
Sediment, mud and dust is usually not any more contaminated than the soil that was there before a storm - unless it's near a source of contamination that was disrupted by flooding such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial chemicals or raw sewage. The Health Department advises Vermonters to stay away from contaminated areas that require professional cleanup.
"We do anticipate there will be sporadic or individual cases of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, but we rarely see outbreaks of these types of illnesses in the wake of flooding in the United States," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD.
Typically in the United States, Dr. Chen said, about half of the hazards after a flood are related to injuries rather than illness, such as injuries from power tools, slips and falls, electrocution and carbon monoxide exposure.
Vermonters are advised to practice good hygiene during cleanup such as washing hands frequently, and make sure items such as canned foods picked up during cleanup are washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Wear an N-95 respirator (also called an N-95 mask) during all clean-up activities when inhalable particles are generated, such as mold, sand, silt, dry dirt or mud, dust or any other particles not otherwise specified. If inhaled, particles alone can cause upper airway and lung irritation and can make asthma and other lung diseases worsen.
Most hardware stores sell N-95 respirators. They are also available at no cost from Health Department district offices as part of the flood response .
For more information, including a link to the nearest Health Department district office and guidance on safe clean up of flood sediment and soil, visit healthvermont.gov.
Follow the Health Department on Twitter and join us on Facebook for up-to-date news and information.
Sediment, mud and dust is usually not any more contaminated than the soil that was there before a storm - unless it's near a source of contamination that was disrupted by flooding such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial chemicals or raw sewage. The Health Department advises Vermonters to stay away from contaminated areas that require professional cleanup.
"We do anticipate there will be sporadic or individual cases of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, but we rarely see outbreaks of these types of illnesses in the wake of flooding in the United States," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD.
Typically in the United States, Dr. Chen said, about half of the hazards after a flood are related to injuries rather than illness, such as injuries from power tools, slips and falls, electrocution and carbon monoxide exposure.
Vermonters are advised to practice good hygiene during cleanup such as washing hands frequently, and make sure items such as canned foods picked up during cleanup are washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Wear an N-95 respirator (also called an N-95 mask) during all clean-up activities when inhalable particles are generated, such as mold, sand, silt, dry dirt or mud, dust or any other particles not otherwise specified. If inhaled, particles alone can cause upper airway and lung irritation and can make asthma and other lung diseases worsen.
Most hardware stores sell N-95 respirators. They are also available at no cost from Health Department district offices as part of the flood response .
For more information, including a link to the nearest Health Department district office and guidance on safe clean up of flood sediment and soil, visit healthvermont.gov.
Follow the Health Department on Twitter and join us on Facebook for up-to-date news and information.
Select Board Meeting Agenda 9/12/11
The Cavendish Select Board will meet on Sept. 12 at 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. The agenda will be as follows:
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Sign Orders
3. Review Correspondence
4. Adjust agenda
5. Hear Citizens
6. Discuss Hurricane Irene storm related clean-up activities.
7. Town Manager to discuss FEMA assistance application and anticipated activities and timetable.
8. Follow-up on previous discussions regarding the Cavendish Fire Warden post and review of recent correspondence on this matter.
9. Update on various town activities
10. Other business
11. Adjourn
1. Call the meeting to order
2. Sign Orders
3. Review Correspondence
4. Adjust agenda
5. Hear Citizens
6. Discuss Hurricane Irene storm related clean-up activities.
7. Town Manager to discuss FEMA assistance application and anticipated activities and timetable.
8. Follow-up on previous discussions regarding the Cavendish Fire Warden post and review of recent correspondence on this matter.
9. Update on various town activities
10. Other business
11. Adjourn
Friday, September 9, 2011
Cavendish Update 9/9/11 Irene/News/Events
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cavendish-Vermont/147333582005710?sk=wall
The 9/9/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Irene Recovery
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open on Sunday
4. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 1927 Flood
5. Black River Good Neighbor Fall Rummage Sale
6. Cavendish Events 9/9/11-9/16/11
1. Irene Recovery
As we enter this new phase of identifying damages and where help is needed, please check the Cavendish Upate blog www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com regularly for items and services that people are in need of. Let us know when the need is met so we can delete it from the list. If you have a need, please send an e-mail to margoc@tds.net Please include how you can be contacted.
Recovery Resources: The Irene Recovery Resource Information for Cavendish, VT is posted at http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2011/09/irene-recovery-information-for.html
It’s being updated as needed –every few days at this time. PDF copies of the information in handout form will be e-mailed to the Cavendish Library, Town Office and CTES. If you would like to be added to this list, please e-mail margoc@tds.net
Each time the print handout is updated, you will find a different picture in the upper left hand corner. Along with the date, this will help to keep the most current handout available. The next printed handout will be done on Monday and the picture will be the 1927 flood. This past weeks was the Vermont Strong logo.
Clean Up: If you have not checked on your home, which maybe the case for those on vacation or second homeowners, please consider using a professional cleaning service if you have standing water or significant damage. There are health hazards to flooding, which given the length of time since the flood and weather conditions, it could pose a health risk to you and those cleaning.
Cleaning kits are available at the Proctorsville Fire Hall and the Cavendish Town Office. Proctorsville Fire Dept. plans to remain open and available for water until the “boil water” notice is removed.
Donations: A lot of inquiries have been made about making donations to help people in Cavendish who have been impacted by the flood. You can help in the following ways:
• If a friend on neighbor has been directly affected, simply things like a meal, gift certificates (gas, Home Depot, area restaurant, home goods store etc.) offers of baby sitting, carpentry skills, organizing a work party can be helpful.
• There are Irene Relief funds being started and fundraisers happening. Make sure you know how the funds are to be used and it is a reputable organization such as VT Red Cross or Black River Good Neighbors. Some of the local churches have funds as well.
Town Water: The “boil water” notice is still in effect.
Well Being: We’ve received questions and comments about how long it takes to recover emotionally from something like Irene. The good news is that without any intervention the brain naturally returns to a sense of normalcy within a week to ten days. This doesn’t mean you wont feel edgy if it starts to rain heavy. If you are one of those hardest hit, you might find it hard to grasp that people are returning to work, talking about baseball and that life goes on. This is not unusual. You are having to adjust to a much different way of life then your neighbors. As the expression goes “a day at a time.”
LPC-TV: Website has coverage of recovery efforts
BRAT: The Black River Action Team will be at the gazebo in Ludlow's town green on Saturday morning (9/10/11) from 8am till noon. Volunteers are expected to be on hand, looking for places to help out! Individuals, businesses, churches, etc. are all welcome to contact me personally or come by the booth to let us know how we can help. (802) 885-1533 or blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com
2. Cavendish Related News
BISHCA asks insurers to temporarily suspend premium payments for Vermont flood victims: Insurers are asked to provide temporary suspension of premium payments for Vermonters affected by the flooding and not to cancel or refuse coverage due solely to an individual’s status as a victim or evacuee of this disaster. Press Release
ANR Offering Technical Assistance: The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is offering technical assistance to communities and individuals to expedite flood recovery in Vermont. Staff from the agency’s Water Quality Division are available to answer questions and provide technical assistance in connection with work impacting wetlands, lakes and ponds, and involving storm water management. FMI: 802-241-3777or www.vtwaterquality.org Press Release
3. Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open on Sunday
The Cavendish Historical Society will be open this Sunday from 2-4 pm and is beginning to mount a display of the various floods that have impacted the town. If you have photographs of the 1927, 1938, 1973 and 2011 floods, please bring them to the Museum. FMI:margoc@tds.net or 802-226-7807
4. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 1927 Flood: These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at the CHS Blog.
The largest flood on record in Vermont caused heavy damage in the Black River Valley, particularly Cavendish. A quarter mile long channel avulsion bypassing the Cavendish Gorge eroded approximately 2 million tons of sediment down to bedrock leaving a channel 150 feed deep and 600 feet wide. Seven houses were washed away and the Duttonsville School ended up protruding over the edge of a high sandbank. Redfield Proctor, former Vermont governor, offered $10,000 to restore the schoolhouse. Olin Gay, Chairman of the School Board, proposed using this gift to move the school to a new location. He also proposed that the town raise an additional $5,000 by taxes to put in an auditorium basement, modernize the heating system and install toilets. The school building was moved on big rollers by oxen and horses 400 feet back to a safer location. It had much better facilities than before the flood. A Vermont Standard School until 1928, thanks to the renovations after the flood, Duttonsville was upgraded to a “Superior School,” a status it retained until closing in 1971.
President Calvin Coolidge telegraphs his cousin, Park Pollard, after the flood, wanting to know what he can do for Cavendish. He sent Herbert Hoover, his Secretary of Commerce, to visit the region and to make recommendations. Two Army engineers came to give technical help about relocating the state road.
Note: Articles from the 1927 Flood, as well as pictures, will be at the Museum on Sunday 2-4 pm.
5. Black River Good Neighbor Fall Rummage Sale
Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGN)is holding a gigantic Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm in Ludlow on Route 103 south on Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday September 25th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. All proceeds from this sale go to benefit the needy in the area. All monies raised will help cover utilities/fuel cost, food and rent assistance for qualified individuals and families in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Belmont, Proctorsville, Cavendish and Plymouth.
In addition special consideration will be given to Irene flood victims. Any flood victim who has verifiable documentation of loss (such as FEMA documentation or a document from a Town Official) is eligible for special consideration at the rummage sale. Qualified individuals must come to the BRGNS Thrift Shop, prior to the rummage sale, to obtain vouchers. These vouchers will be good at the Rummage Sale only.
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 17th through Thursday, September 22nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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 clothing items that are stained or ripped. If you are unable to drop off a furniture donation, it can be picked up by our volunteers if arrangements are made in advance.
Volunteers are needed for the following: to help work the sale as well as setup; to make baked goods and canned items; and to donate plastic bags FMI: Audrey Bridge 802-228-3663 or brgns@tds.net
6. Cavendish Events 9/9/11-9/16/11
September 9 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
September 10 (Saturday): Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring collections for the safe disposal of household hazardous wastes. . The collections will be held at the Springfield Transfer Station and at the Weathersfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until noon. FMI: 674-9235 or www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org
• BRAT will be at the Ludlow Gazebo to help with clean up. See article in Irene Recovery section. FMI: 802-885-1533 or blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com
September 11 (Sunday): The Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open from 2-4 pm. See article 3 above. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
September 12 (Monday): CTES Opens for School
• Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line www.lpctv.org and Comcast Cable TV. Check the website for more information.
September 15 (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
The 9/9/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Irene Recovery
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open on Sunday
4. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 1927 Flood
5. Black River Good Neighbor Fall Rummage Sale
6. Cavendish Events 9/9/11-9/16/11
1. Irene Recovery
As we enter this new phase of identifying damages and where help is needed, please check the Cavendish Upate blog www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com regularly for items and services that people are in need of. Let us know when the need is met so we can delete it from the list. If you have a need, please send an e-mail to margoc@tds.net Please include how you can be contacted.
Recovery Resources: The Irene Recovery Resource Information for Cavendish, VT is posted at http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2011/09/irene-recovery-information-for.html
It’s being updated as needed –every few days at this time. PDF copies of the information in handout form will be e-mailed to the Cavendish Library, Town Office and CTES. If you would like to be added to this list, please e-mail margoc@tds.net
Each time the print handout is updated, you will find a different picture in the upper left hand corner. Along with the date, this will help to keep the most current handout available. The next printed handout will be done on Monday and the picture will be the 1927 flood. This past weeks was the Vermont Strong logo.
Clean Up: If you have not checked on your home, which maybe the case for those on vacation or second homeowners, please consider using a professional cleaning service if you have standing water or significant damage. There are health hazards to flooding, which given the length of time since the flood and weather conditions, it could pose a health risk to you and those cleaning.
Cleaning kits are available at the Proctorsville Fire Hall and the Cavendish Town Office. Proctorsville Fire Dept. plans to remain open and available for water until the “boil water” notice is removed.
Donations: A lot of inquiries have been made about making donations to help people in Cavendish who have been impacted by the flood. You can help in the following ways:
• If a friend on neighbor has been directly affected, simply things like a meal, gift certificates (gas, Home Depot, area restaurant, home goods store etc.) offers of baby sitting, carpentry skills, organizing a work party can be helpful.
• There are Irene Relief funds being started and fundraisers happening. Make sure you know how the funds are to be used and it is a reputable organization such as VT Red Cross or Black River Good Neighbors. Some of the local churches have funds as well.
Town Water: The “boil water” notice is still in effect.
Well Being: We’ve received questions and comments about how long it takes to recover emotionally from something like Irene. The good news is that without any intervention the brain naturally returns to a sense of normalcy within a week to ten days. This doesn’t mean you wont feel edgy if it starts to rain heavy. If you are one of those hardest hit, you might find it hard to grasp that people are returning to work, talking about baseball and that life goes on. This is not unusual. You are having to adjust to a much different way of life then your neighbors. As the expression goes “a day at a time.”
LPC-TV: Website has coverage of recovery efforts
BRAT: The Black River Action Team will be at the gazebo in Ludlow's town green on Saturday morning (9/10/11) from 8am till noon. Volunteers are expected to be on hand, looking for places to help out! Individuals, businesses, churches, etc. are all welcome to contact me personally or come by the booth to let us know how we can help. (802) 885-1533 or blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com
2. Cavendish Related News
BISHCA asks insurers to temporarily suspend premium payments for Vermont flood victims: Insurers are asked to provide temporary suspension of premium payments for Vermonters affected by the flooding and not to cancel or refuse coverage due solely to an individual’s status as a victim or evacuee of this disaster. Press Release
ANR Offering Technical Assistance: The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is offering technical assistance to communities and individuals to expedite flood recovery in Vermont. Staff from the agency’s Water Quality Division are available to answer questions and provide technical assistance in connection with work impacting wetlands, lakes and ponds, and involving storm water management. FMI: 802-241-3777or www.vtwaterquality.org Press Release
3. Cavendish Historical Society Museum Open on Sunday
The Cavendish Historical Society will be open this Sunday from 2-4 pm and is beginning to mount a display of the various floods that have impacted the town. If you have photographs of the 1927, 1938, 1973 and 2011 floods, please bring them to the Museum. FMI:margoc@tds.net or 802-226-7807
4. Cavendish Semiquincentennial: 1927 Flood: These posts are made possible by the Cavendish Historical Society and are archived at the CHS Blog.
The largest flood on record in Vermont caused heavy damage in the Black River Valley, particularly Cavendish. A quarter mile long channel avulsion bypassing the Cavendish Gorge eroded approximately 2 million tons of sediment down to bedrock leaving a channel 150 feed deep and 600 feet wide. Seven houses were washed away and the Duttonsville School ended up protruding over the edge of a high sandbank. Redfield Proctor, former Vermont governor, offered $10,000 to restore the schoolhouse. Olin Gay, Chairman of the School Board, proposed using this gift to move the school to a new location. He also proposed that the town raise an additional $5,000 by taxes to put in an auditorium basement, modernize the heating system and install toilets. The school building was moved on big rollers by oxen and horses 400 feet back to a safer location. It had much better facilities than before the flood. A Vermont Standard School until 1928, thanks to the renovations after the flood, Duttonsville was upgraded to a “Superior School,” a status it retained until closing in 1971.
President Calvin Coolidge telegraphs his cousin, Park Pollard, after the flood, wanting to know what he can do for Cavendish. He sent Herbert Hoover, his Secretary of Commerce, to visit the region and to make recommendations. Two Army engineers came to give technical help about relocating the state road.
Note: Articles from the 1927 Flood, as well as pictures, will be at the Museum on Sunday 2-4 pm.
5. Black River Good Neighbor Fall Rummage Sale
Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGN)is holding a gigantic Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm in Ludlow on Route 103 south on Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday September 25th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. All proceeds from this sale go to benefit the needy in the area. All monies raised will help cover utilities/fuel cost, food and rent assistance for qualified individuals and families in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Belmont, Proctorsville, Cavendish and Plymouth.
In addition special consideration will be given to Irene flood victims. Any flood victim who has verifiable documentation of loss (such as FEMA documentation or a document from a Town Official) is eligible for special consideration at the rummage sale. Qualified individuals must come to the BRGNS Thrift Shop, prior to the rummage sale, to obtain vouchers. These vouchers will be good at the Rummage Sale only.
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 17th through Thursday, September 22nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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 clothing items that are stained or ripped. If you are unable to drop off a furniture donation, it can be picked up by our volunteers if arrangements are made in advance.
Volunteers are needed for the following: to help work the sale as well as setup; to make baked goods and canned items; and to donate plastic bags FMI: Audrey Bridge 802-228-3663 or brgns@tds.net
6. Cavendish Events 9/9/11-9/16/11
September 9 (Friday): Ludlow Farmer’s Market. On the campus of Okemo Mountain School, 53 Main Street, 4-7 pm FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
September 10 (Saturday): Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring collections for the safe disposal of household hazardous wastes. . The collections will be held at the Springfield Transfer Station and at the Weathersfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until noon. FMI: 674-9235 or www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org
• BRAT will be at the Ludlow Gazebo to help with clean up. See article in Irene Recovery section. FMI: 802-885-1533 or blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com
September 11 (Sunday): The Cavendish Historical Society Museum will be open from 2-4 pm. See article 3 above. FMI: 226-7807 or margoc@tds.net
September 12 (Monday): CTES Opens for School
• Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda posted to blog as soon as it is received. LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line www.lpctv.org and Comcast Cable TV. Check the website for more information.
September 15 (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
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
9/6/11: Recovery Shelter is Closing
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
Many came to enjoy an incredible meal provided by the Weathersfield Inn last night. We’ll be talking about that for a long time to come. The Cavendish Cupboard was relocated yesterday to the Proctorsville Fire Department. Those needing water, cleaning kits and food, should go there. This will be the last day that CTES will operate as a shelter. Lunch and dinner will be provided at noon and at 5:30.
School opens tomorrow at GMUHS for junior high and high school students and CTES returns to school on Monday, Sept. 12. We have moved from the immediate crisis of making people safe, fed and connected with family, friends and pets to cleaning out homes and businesses, rebuilding roads, dealing with FEMA and insurance companies. From here on out, those in need of assistance from the flood can call the Town Office 802-226-7292. The Irene Recovery Information for Cavendish VT will continue to be updated as needed, which will probably be daily for the next week. So check this blog for the most current edition. This will also be sent to the town office in PDF format so it can be printed and handed out to those who need it.
While most of us will return to life as it pretty much was before the storm, with the exception of trying to get from point A to B the way we once did, and cringing at the sound of a rain drop, there are those in our town that have lost or have severally damaged homes and businesses. There are also people who are located in areas where it will not be easy for them to get around until the roads are completely restored.
Help is needed as follows:
• Flaggers to cover the area that washed out near Glimmerstone. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years of age. There is an immediate for a flagger from 4-6 pm. It will be important to have people posted there until a repair can be made. If you can volunteer, please call the town office 802-226-7292.
• Advocates and/or workshops to help people in dealing with FEMA and their insurance companies. If you have skills in this area, contact the town office 802-226-7292.
• There are people located in parts of our town that are not easily accessible due to road quality. If you have a neighbor or friend that may be reluctant to drive because of road conditions, offer to take them to town so they can do banking and other chores, as well as activities that were part of their life prior to Aug. 28.
In comparing this flood to the ones in 1927, 1938 and 1973, one of the big advantages we’ve had was the internet and tools like Facebook. On Saturday, Mark Huntley, who was part of one of the work crews, used Facebook to let people know where to come to volunteer. This was a good approach and one we can continue to use. I know I use it to find out about roads.
Thanks to the people of Cavendish we’ve done an incredible job in pulling together and getting through this first phase. Because we are a stronger community for it, we will be able to handle the next phase with a little more assurance that we can do it. Many thanks to each of you, those that came from Chester, Reading, Stowe, Ludlow and even Texas, CTES teachers and staff , the Red Cross, the National Guard and Homeland Security.
Unless something major happens, the next Cavendish Update will be posted on Friday. Now I need to get some wash done and deal with the fact that someone didn’t turn on the dishwasher since Aug. 28. Yuck!
Many came to enjoy an incredible meal provided by the Weathersfield Inn last night. We’ll be talking about that for a long time to come. The Cavendish Cupboard was relocated yesterday to the Proctorsville Fire Department. Those needing water, cleaning kits and food, should go there. This will be the last day that CTES will operate as a shelter. Lunch and dinner will be provided at noon and at 5:30.
School opens tomorrow at GMUHS for junior high and high school students and CTES returns to school on Monday, Sept. 12. We have moved from the immediate crisis of making people safe, fed and connected with family, friends and pets to cleaning out homes and businesses, rebuilding roads, dealing with FEMA and insurance companies. From here on out, those in need of assistance from the flood can call the Town Office 802-226-7292. The Irene Recovery Information for Cavendish VT will continue to be updated as needed, which will probably be daily for the next week. So check this blog for the most current edition. This will also be sent to the town office in PDF format so it can be printed and handed out to those who need it.
While most of us will return to life as it pretty much was before the storm, with the exception of trying to get from point A to B the way we once did, and cringing at the sound of a rain drop, there are those in our town that have lost or have severally damaged homes and businesses. There are also people who are located in areas where it will not be easy for them to get around until the roads are completely restored.
Help is needed as follows:
• Flaggers to cover the area that washed out near Glimmerstone. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years of age. There is an immediate for a flagger from 4-6 pm. It will be important to have people posted there until a repair can be made. If you can volunteer, please call the town office 802-226-7292.
• Advocates and/or workshops to help people in dealing with FEMA and their insurance companies. If you have skills in this area, contact the town office 802-226-7292.
• There are people located in parts of our town that are not easily accessible due to road quality. If you have a neighbor or friend that may be reluctant to drive because of road conditions, offer to take them to town so they can do banking and other chores, as well as activities that were part of their life prior to Aug. 28.
In comparing this flood to the ones in 1927, 1938 and 1973, one of the big advantages we’ve had was the internet and tools like Facebook. On Saturday, Mark Huntley, who was part of one of the work crews, used Facebook to let people know where to come to volunteer. This was a good approach and one we can continue to use. I know I use it to find out about roads.
Thanks to the people of Cavendish we’ve done an incredible job in pulling together and getting through this first phase. Because we are a stronger community for it, we will be able to handle the next phase with a little more assurance that we can do it. Many thanks to each of you, those that came from Chester, Reading, Stowe, Ludlow and even Texas, CTES teachers and staff , the Red Cross, the National Guard and Homeland Security.
Unless something major happens, the next Cavendish Update will be posted on Friday. Now I need to get some wash done and deal with the fact that someone didn’t turn on the dishwasher since Aug. 28. Yuck!
Monday, September 5, 2011
IRENE RECOVERY INFORMATION FOR CAVENDISH VT
IRENE RECOVERY INFORMATION FOR CAVENDISH VT: 11/7/11
The following information is being provided to help Cavendish residents, businesses and property owners in the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. As information is changed, or additions made, this will be posted at www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com Check the upper right hand link section. As services return to normal, they will be deleted from the list. If you have information to add or correct to this handout, please e-mail margoc@tds.net or call 226-7807.
You must file for FEMA and SBA low interest loans by Nov. 15. To determine your eligibility, property owners, businesses, and non-profits should contact FEMA as soon as possible at: 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. To file your application, you can also register online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov Go to http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/assistance.shtm to learn about what FEMA covers.
FEMA’s primary objective is to get people into their homes. While there maybe immediate assistance for some items, the primary approach is through SBA (small business loans). While many may bulk at a loan, it’s important to understand what they can provide for your situation. It is possible to combine a mortgage, with funds for property damage, via SBA, and because of the lower interest rate, end up with a lower monthly payment. If your household income is too low for a SBA loan, you are then referred back to FEMA, which can provide a grant up to $30,000.
BUSINESS: Register with FEMA now. Once registered, you may be eligible for Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses-It will provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, and loans to businesses, which suffered losses due to flooding. FMI: VEDA FEMA funds (see federal aid below) are also available. US Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans for Irene, Occurring August 29, 2011 and continuing require filing dates for economic injury by June 1, 2012. For more on SBA loans call 800-659-2955, visit the SBA website.
The VT Irene Relief Fund has been established to provide grants to small businesses that have sustained losses and can’t afford to add debt by taking out low interest loans. FMI: Irene Relief Fund or call 802-552-3449
DONATIONS: You can help in the following ways:
• If a friend on neighbor has been directly affected, simply things like a meal, gift certificates (gas, Home Depot, area restaurant, home goods store etc.) offers of baby sitting, carpentry skills, organizing a work party can be very helpful.
• Irene Relief funds have been started and fundraisers are being held. Make sure you know how the funds are to be used and it is a reputable organization such as VT Red Cross or Black River Good Neighbors. Locally, the Cavendish Baptist Church, Calvary Church and Gethsemane have funds available to help individuals who are in need. You can donate to one of these churches or the Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments.
EFFICIENCY VERMONT: Can provide advice on replacing damaged insulation and on how to address health and safety issues. In addition, Efficiency Vermont has financial assistance available for air sealing, replacing insulation, heating and hot water systems as well as rebates on ENERGY STAR® clothes washers and refrigerators ($50 rebate which can be combined with a $50 instant in-store rebate funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-for a total rebate of $100) and dehumidifiers ($25 rebate). The free Home and Small Business Flood Repair Assessments with Air Sealing, will provide, for a limited time testing to determine if flooded areas have dried sufficiently and air sealing in affected areas to reduce energy loss. Affected drywall and insulation must be removed at least six inches above the water line and mold issues have been dealt with. FMI: Efficiency Vermont or call 1-888-921-5990 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
EMPLOYMENT: The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of major disasters. Benefits begin with the date the individual was unemployed due to the disaster incident and can extend up to 26 weeks after the Presidential declaration date. These benefits are made available to individuals not covered by other unemployment compensation programs, such as self-employed, farmers, migrant and seasonal workers, and those who have insufficient quarters to qualify for other unemployment compensation. You must register with the State’s employment service’s office. FMI: 1-877-214-3330.or http://labor.vermont.gov/
FARMS: To report damages to property including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call:
• USDA Farm Service Agency 802-295-7942
• Natural Resources Conservation Services office 802-775-8034 X 14
• Vermont Farm Bureau 802-434-5646 or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122 These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture, which will forward it to VEM.
Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent as well as the USDA Farm Service Agency 802-658-2803
FLOORING: Those who have lost their house or need to replace floors that have been damaged by the flood are eligible for hardwood or pine flooring at very low to no cost from Vermont Hardwoods. You will need to provide evidence of loss, in the form of photos and/or documents identifying the property as yours and showing the damage or loss, or a copy of documentation from FEMA or an insurance assessor showing the type and amount of loss. FMI: 888-442-7396 http://vermonthardwoods.com/hurricane_irene_relief.asp
FOOD AND OTHER ASSISTANCE: Black River Good Neighbor 228-3663 in Ludlow serves Cavendish residents -food shelf, financial assistance (heating, rent and utilities), and miscellaneous assistance. If you need help in obtaining services, contact Abe Gross 226-7131.
LEGAL AID: The Vermont Bar Association, Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Law Line of Vermont and the Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project have pro bono lawyers standing by to help victims of Tropical Storm Irene. Call 1-800-889-2047. Through this intake number, a client may be connected with a Legal Aid attorney; receive over the phone legal advice from a Law Line attorney; or be assigned an attorney through the Volunteer Lawyer Project. Visit Vermont Legal Aid’s webpage with answers to frequently asked questions for flooding victims.
MORTGAGE/RENT ASSISTANCE: The Realtors Relief Foundation, a joint venture between the National Association of Realtors and the Vermont Association of Realtors, makes assistance available to qualified applicants towards one of the following options: 1) Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged by Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee or; 2) Rental cost of temporary shelter due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the storms. Relief assistance is limited to $1,500 per applicant. Recipient must be a full time resident and U.S. citizen or legally admitted for residence in the United States. Applications will be reviewed without knowledge of the identity of the applicant. In order to provide for a reasonable and equitable distribution of funds, assistance will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. All grants are contingent upon the availability of funds. Grants will be jointly payable to applicant and mortgage lender/landlord. To learn more about the program go to one of the following-VT Association of Realtors 877-229-0523 or info@vtrealtor.com or http://www.vtrealtor.com/rrf/
PHONE & INTERNET: VTel is offering up to three months of free basic telephone and Internet service to any current customer whose home or business was affected by the flood. The company is also suspending any telephone disconnections for up to three months. VTel is also offering discounted Internet service to any family in the company’s service area with a full-time student who receives free lunches from the National School Lunch Program. FMI: 1-800-279-4049.
REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANKS, HOT WATER HEATERS: If you qualify for Weatherization, this program would be able to replace water heaters, furnaces etc. The Emergency Replacement and Repair Program replaces boilers and furnaces. These are income eligible programs and you will need to go through the Springfield SEVCA office 885-6153. Call first as walk-ins are no longer accepted. Be advised that it’s “FEMA first.” If you receive FEMA funds, you will need to use them to replace furnaces/boilers etc. before obtaining funds available through SEVCA. A new program, not part of Weatherization, is being offered by Efficiency Vermont (see above) tests for moisture, provide sealing and identify candidates for Weatherization.
SECOND HOME OWNERS: FEMA is not covering second homeowner losses unless the home is used for a rental, in which case you will file under SBA. As for property loss, there is a deduction that can be taken on schedule A of the 1040 tax return. You have to fill out Form 4684 to see how much qualifies.
TOWN SERVICES
Cavendish Town Office 226-7292 Office open Monday through Friday 9-noon and 1-4:30 pm. Wednesday until 6 pm. Office closed for major holidays. Town Manager’s Office 226-7291. Town Office Fax 226-7290
Cavendish Transfer Station 226-7743
Cavendish Community Library 226-7503
For fire, rescue and emergency 911
OTHER RESOURCES
Questions Vermonters are Asking about Hurricane Irene Relief Efforts: Compiled by Senator Sanders has very practical and easy to read information.
Vermont Emergency Management: Tropical Storm Irene Recovery
Vermont Educators Care: Vermont NEA has a website where you can register for help or request donations
Vermont AID: A guide to flood relief help for Vermonters
VT Response Exchange: This site provides a basic mechanism for those affected by the Irene floods to connect with people looking to donate items. Think of it as Craigslist for disasters.
The following information is being provided to help Cavendish residents, businesses and property owners in the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. As information is changed, or additions made, this will be posted at www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com Check the upper right hand link section. As services return to normal, they will be deleted from the list. If you have information to add or correct to this handout, please e-mail margoc@tds.net or call 226-7807.
You must file for FEMA and SBA low interest loans by Nov. 15. To determine your eligibility, property owners, businesses, and non-profits should contact FEMA as soon as possible at: 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. To file your application, you can also register online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov Go to http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/assistance.shtm to learn about what FEMA covers.
FEMA’s primary objective is to get people into their homes. While there maybe immediate assistance for some items, the primary approach is through SBA (small business loans). While many may bulk at a loan, it’s important to understand what they can provide for your situation. It is possible to combine a mortgage, with funds for property damage, via SBA, and because of the lower interest rate, end up with a lower monthly payment. If your household income is too low for a SBA loan, you are then referred back to FEMA, which can provide a grant up to $30,000.
BUSINESS: Register with FEMA now. Once registered, you may be eligible for Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses-It will provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, and loans to businesses, which suffered losses due to flooding. FMI: VEDA FEMA funds (see federal aid below) are also available. US Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans for Irene, Occurring August 29, 2011 and continuing require filing dates for economic injury by June 1, 2012. For more on SBA loans call 800-659-2955, visit the SBA website.
The VT Irene Relief Fund has been established to provide grants to small businesses that have sustained losses and can’t afford to add debt by taking out low interest loans. FMI: Irene Relief Fund or call 802-552-3449
DONATIONS: You can help in the following ways:
• If a friend on neighbor has been directly affected, simply things like a meal, gift certificates (gas, Home Depot, area restaurant, home goods store etc.) offers of baby sitting, carpentry skills, organizing a work party can be very helpful.
• Irene Relief funds have been started and fundraisers are being held. Make sure you know how the funds are to be used and it is a reputable organization such as VT Red Cross or Black River Good Neighbors. Locally, the Cavendish Baptist Church, Calvary Church and Gethsemane have funds available to help individuals who are in need. You can donate to one of these churches or the Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments.
EFFICIENCY VERMONT: Can provide advice on replacing damaged insulation and on how to address health and safety issues. In addition, Efficiency Vermont has financial assistance available for air sealing, replacing insulation, heating and hot water systems as well as rebates on ENERGY STAR® clothes washers and refrigerators ($50 rebate which can be combined with a $50 instant in-store rebate funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-for a total rebate of $100) and dehumidifiers ($25 rebate). The free Home and Small Business Flood Repair Assessments with Air Sealing, will provide, for a limited time testing to determine if flooded areas have dried sufficiently and air sealing in affected areas to reduce energy loss. Affected drywall and insulation must be removed at least six inches above the water line and mold issues have been dealt with. FMI: Efficiency Vermont or call 1-888-921-5990 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
EMPLOYMENT: The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of major disasters. Benefits begin with the date the individual was unemployed due to the disaster incident and can extend up to 26 weeks after the Presidential declaration date. These benefits are made available to individuals not covered by other unemployment compensation programs, such as self-employed, farmers, migrant and seasonal workers, and those who have insufficient quarters to qualify for other unemployment compensation. You must register with the State’s employment service’s office. FMI: 1-877-214-3330.or http://labor.vermont.gov/
FARMS: To report damages to property including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call:
• USDA Farm Service Agency 802-295-7942
• Natural Resources Conservation Services office 802-775-8034 X 14
• Vermont Farm Bureau 802-434-5646 or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122 These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture, which will forward it to VEM.
Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent as well as the USDA Farm Service Agency 802-658-2803
FLOORING: Those who have lost their house or need to replace floors that have been damaged by the flood are eligible for hardwood or pine flooring at very low to no cost from Vermont Hardwoods. You will need to provide evidence of loss, in the form of photos and/or documents identifying the property as yours and showing the damage or loss, or a copy of documentation from FEMA or an insurance assessor showing the type and amount of loss. FMI: 888-442-7396 http://vermonthardwoods.com/hurricane_irene_relief.asp
FOOD AND OTHER ASSISTANCE: Black River Good Neighbor 228-3663 in Ludlow serves Cavendish residents -food shelf, financial assistance (heating, rent and utilities), and miscellaneous assistance. If you need help in obtaining services, contact Abe Gross 226-7131.
LEGAL AID: The Vermont Bar Association, Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Law Line of Vermont and the Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project have pro bono lawyers standing by to help victims of Tropical Storm Irene. Call 1-800-889-2047. Through this intake number, a client may be connected with a Legal Aid attorney; receive over the phone legal advice from a Law Line attorney; or be assigned an attorney through the Volunteer Lawyer Project. Visit Vermont Legal Aid’s webpage with answers to frequently asked questions for flooding victims.
MORTGAGE/RENT ASSISTANCE: The Realtors Relief Foundation, a joint venture between the National Association of Realtors and the Vermont Association of Realtors, makes assistance available to qualified applicants towards one of the following options: 1) Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged by Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee or; 2) Rental cost of temporary shelter due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the storms. Relief assistance is limited to $1,500 per applicant. Recipient must be a full time resident and U.S. citizen or legally admitted for residence in the United States. Applications will be reviewed without knowledge of the identity of the applicant. In order to provide for a reasonable and equitable distribution of funds, assistance will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. All grants are contingent upon the availability of funds. Grants will be jointly payable to applicant and mortgage lender/landlord. To learn more about the program go to one of the following-VT Association of Realtors 877-229-0523 or info@vtrealtor.com or http://www.vtrealtor.com/rrf/
PHONE & INTERNET: VTel is offering up to three months of free basic telephone and Internet service to any current customer whose home or business was affected by the flood. The company is also suspending any telephone disconnections for up to three months. VTel is also offering discounted Internet service to any family in the company’s service area with a full-time student who receives free lunches from the National School Lunch Program. FMI: 1-800-279-4049.
REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANKS, HOT WATER HEATERS: If you qualify for Weatherization, this program would be able to replace water heaters, furnaces etc. The Emergency Replacement and Repair Program replaces boilers and furnaces. These are income eligible programs and you will need to go through the Springfield SEVCA office 885-6153. Call first as walk-ins are no longer accepted. Be advised that it’s “FEMA first.” If you receive FEMA funds, you will need to use them to replace furnaces/boilers etc. before obtaining funds available through SEVCA. A new program, not part of Weatherization, is being offered by Efficiency Vermont (see above) tests for moisture, provide sealing and identify candidates for Weatherization.
SECOND HOME OWNERS: FEMA is not covering second homeowner losses unless the home is used for a rental, in which case you will file under SBA. As for property loss, there is a deduction that can be taken on schedule A of the 1040 tax return. You have to fill out Form 4684 to see how much qualifies.
TOWN SERVICES
Cavendish Town Office 226-7292 Office open Monday through Friday 9-noon and 1-4:30 pm. Wednesday until 6 pm. Office closed for major holidays. Town Manager’s Office 226-7291. Town Office Fax 226-7290
Cavendish Transfer Station 226-7743
Cavendish Community Library 226-7503
For fire, rescue and emergency 911
OTHER RESOURCES
Questions Vermonters are Asking about Hurricane Irene Relief Efforts: Compiled by Senator Sanders has very practical and easy to read information.
Vermont Emergency Management: Tropical Storm Irene Recovery
Vermont Educators Care: Vermont NEA has a website where you can register for help or request donations
Vermont AID: A guide to flood relief help for Vermonters
VT Response Exchange: This site provides a basic mechanism for those affected by the Irene floods to connect with people looking to donate items. Think of it as Craigslist for disasters.
9/5/11 Recovery Labor Day
The Cavendish Connects website now includes much of what was included on this blog as well as a calendar of Cavendish events. The new blog, “The Dish,” includes the Cavendish Update as well as on-going information.
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
It seems fitting, since it is Labor Day to start this post with a quote from President Calvin Coolidge that he gave in September 1928, while touring the state after the Nov. 1927 flood, I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the Union, and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont. Could we fine better words to describe Cavendish this past week? I don’t think so. We are truly the “little town that could.”
This morning was the first chance I’ve had to take a long walk and see the changes in the village of Cavendish where I live. It felt initially like going to a viewing. However, I ended up talking to many people and was enthralled with all that’s being done. Everyone was commenting on last night’s rain. I’ve interviewed a number of older people in our town that survived the 1927 flood. A common response to the question of how the flood affected them was “don’t much like rain.” Think we can all relate to that now.
Last evening, thanks to the American Legion from Ludlow we served our National Guard for the last time as they have nearly all moved to new headquarters at the Ludlow Community Center. We sang “Happy Birthday” to one of the guard and presented him with a cake. There was also another chorus of “We’re Mixing Up a Storm,” a song written by Diane McNamara for the first Cavendish Chronicles, with some new lyrics to reflect our current situation. Friendships are forming between the Guard and our community, so we know that we will continue to see them and provide support in whatever way we can. As best as we can tell, the Guard is around for a while as the work is going to take time.
I have a special thank you to Kim Leonard, who read yesterday’s post, where I commented that I could use a lemon meringue pie. Not only did she make me very happy by bringing a very delicious pie, but she brought it at the right time so some of our incredible work crew could enjoy it as well.
While we’ve had work crews heading out of the schools for the last three days, we know that many others have pitched in to help neighbors. As Bill Barrows pointed out, “we clean your place out and then you help to clean someone else out.” If we adopt the “sweat equity” approach, we can get this done. One of the best examples of that are Dawn and Michael Tyrrell. Dawn has been at the school since Sunday, when their house was flooded. Saturday and Sunday, Michael has been part of the Bill Barrows and Warren Garfield work team mucking out basements and Dawn, with the help of Cheryl Liener, Bruce McEnaney, Katie Karkowski and several others was able to take care of the flood damage. Hopefully the Tyrrell family had their first showers in their home last night.
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood watch remains in effect and they’re prediction for heavy rain this evening is 100 percent. Please take precautions, particularly if you are working in areas where it recently flooded.
As the needs of this situation change, so do the people. Many are preparing to return to work tomorrow and recovery is in full swing so the need for the shelter has reduced significantly. Since school needs to reopen on Monday Sept. 12, preparations are underway to move the Cavendish Cupboard to the Proctorsville Fire Department. Most likely lunch and dinner tomorrow will be the last meals served there.
I’m working at home this morning so that we will have a handout for people by noon to help them with recovery efforts. This will be posted to www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com and will be a side link Irene Recovery Resources. Since information will be changing rapidly, it will most likely be updated at least every few days. Print versions will be made with each update. Please share with neighbors and friends.
Clean Up Kits: The Red Cross has provided kits that include a bucket, mop, sweep and shop brooms, cleaning product, sponges, scrub brush, bleach and gloves. If you’ve been cleaning, you may be in need of a kit to replace what may be too yucky to continue to use. We now have shovels and some different style brooms. These are available at the Cavendish Cupboard.
Outposts: The Fire Departments have been establishing “outposts” in various parts of town where it is possible to be stranded in the event of a flood or snowstorm. They have water, MRE (Ready Meals) and some will have clean up kits. While we’ll see if we can get a list of who is where, talk to your neighbors. If you would like to be an outpost for your community, talk to the Fire Department.
Today’s Activities: The school will open at 10 am with coffee and light breakfast type foods. Lunch is at noon and dinner is at 5:30. We plan to close at 7 this evening. Jane Hart will be doing a craft again and hopefully we’ll see Pastor Joseph and Jessica Arnold for some incredible face painting.
Six Loose Ladies: Last day of their 25% off sale. Might be a good day to knit a scarf or hat for our guard.
Dumpsters: The Dumpsters should be cleaned out this morning. Needless to say they were overflowing from the weekend.
Boil Water Notice: We’ve received questions about what a boil water notice means. According to the VT DEC Water Supply Division http://www.vermontdrinkingwater.org/
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, beverage and food preparation, and making ice until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boiling is the preferred method to assure that the tap water is safe to drink. Bring all tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
If you cannot boil your tap water….
An alternative method of purification for residents that do not have gas or electricity available is to use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently purchased, free of additives and scents, and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.25%. Public health officials recommend adding 8 drops of bleach (about _ teaspoon) to each gallon of water. The water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
Water purification tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
A “boil water” notice remains in effect for those on town water.
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
It seems fitting, since it is Labor Day to start this post with a quote from President Calvin Coolidge that he gave in September 1928, while touring the state after the Nov. 1927 flood, I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others. If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the Union, and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont. Could we fine better words to describe Cavendish this past week? I don’t think so. We are truly the “little town that could.”
This morning was the first chance I’ve had to take a long walk and see the changes in the village of Cavendish where I live. It felt initially like going to a viewing. However, I ended up talking to many people and was enthralled with all that’s being done. Everyone was commenting on last night’s rain. I’ve interviewed a number of older people in our town that survived the 1927 flood. A common response to the question of how the flood affected them was “don’t much like rain.” Think we can all relate to that now.
Last evening, thanks to the American Legion from Ludlow we served our National Guard for the last time as they have nearly all moved to new headquarters at the Ludlow Community Center. We sang “Happy Birthday” to one of the guard and presented him with a cake. There was also another chorus of “We’re Mixing Up a Storm,” a song written by Diane McNamara for the first Cavendish Chronicles, with some new lyrics to reflect our current situation. Friendships are forming between the Guard and our community, so we know that we will continue to see them and provide support in whatever way we can. As best as we can tell, the Guard is around for a while as the work is going to take time.
I have a special thank you to Kim Leonard, who read yesterday’s post, where I commented that I could use a lemon meringue pie. Not only did she make me very happy by bringing a very delicious pie, but she brought it at the right time so some of our incredible work crew could enjoy it as well.
While we’ve had work crews heading out of the schools for the last three days, we know that many others have pitched in to help neighbors. As Bill Barrows pointed out, “we clean your place out and then you help to clean someone else out.” If we adopt the “sweat equity” approach, we can get this done. One of the best examples of that are Dawn and Michael Tyrrell. Dawn has been at the school since Sunday, when their house was flooded. Saturday and Sunday, Michael has been part of the Bill Barrows and Warren Garfield work team mucking out basements and Dawn, with the help of Cheryl Liener, Bruce McEnaney, Katie Karkowski and several others was able to take care of the flood damage. Hopefully the Tyrrell family had their first showers in their home last night.
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood watch remains in effect and they’re prediction for heavy rain this evening is 100 percent. Please take precautions, particularly if you are working in areas where it recently flooded.
As the needs of this situation change, so do the people. Many are preparing to return to work tomorrow and recovery is in full swing so the need for the shelter has reduced significantly. Since school needs to reopen on Monday Sept. 12, preparations are underway to move the Cavendish Cupboard to the Proctorsville Fire Department. Most likely lunch and dinner tomorrow will be the last meals served there.
I’m working at home this morning so that we will have a handout for people by noon to help them with recovery efforts. This will be posted to www.cavendishvt.blogspot.com and will be a side link Irene Recovery Resources. Since information will be changing rapidly, it will most likely be updated at least every few days. Print versions will be made with each update. Please share with neighbors and friends.
Clean Up Kits: The Red Cross has provided kits that include a bucket, mop, sweep and shop brooms, cleaning product, sponges, scrub brush, bleach and gloves. If you’ve been cleaning, you may be in need of a kit to replace what may be too yucky to continue to use. We now have shovels and some different style brooms. These are available at the Cavendish Cupboard.
Outposts: The Fire Departments have been establishing “outposts” in various parts of town where it is possible to be stranded in the event of a flood or snowstorm. They have water, MRE (Ready Meals) and some will have clean up kits. While we’ll see if we can get a list of who is where, talk to your neighbors. If you would like to be an outpost for your community, talk to the Fire Department.
Today’s Activities: The school will open at 10 am with coffee and light breakfast type foods. Lunch is at noon and dinner is at 5:30. We plan to close at 7 this evening. Jane Hart will be doing a craft again and hopefully we’ll see Pastor Joseph and Jessica Arnold for some incredible face painting.
Six Loose Ladies: Last day of their 25% off sale. Might be a good day to knit a scarf or hat for our guard.
Dumpsters: The Dumpsters should be cleaned out this morning. Needless to say they were overflowing from the weekend.
Boil Water Notice: We’ve received questions about what a boil water notice means. According to the VT DEC Water Supply Division http://www.vermontdrinkingwater.org/
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, beverage and food preparation, and making ice until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boiling is the preferred method to assure that the tap water is safe to drink. Bring all tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
If you cannot boil your tap water….
An alternative method of purification for residents that do not have gas or electricity available is to use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently purchased, free of additives and scents, and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.25%. Public health officials recommend adding 8 drops of bleach (about _ teaspoon) to each gallon of water. The water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
Water purification tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
A “boil water” notice remains in effect for those on town water.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
9/4/11 Recovery Update
Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page
Great job last night Cavendish players for entertaining the town and National Guard and for providing a much needed break for those cleaning up their homes and the many who have served our town for seven straight days. What a treat to see the Proctorsville Fire fighters coming in for dinner/theater wearing full dress uniforms. A very special thanks to Kata Welch who rewrote sections of the play to incorporate past week events and to Sandra Russo, without whom none of this would have been possible.
My favorite moment was backstage last night. A National Guard soldier was looking for a mirror to check his eye. Dr. Bont a.k.a. Dr. Harlow played himself and took care of him. Oh, there was another moment, seeing Daryl Stowell in the audience. Good to see him off his tractor, where he has spent many hours on the back roads getting them up and running again.
At the end of the play, the Town Manager, Richard Svec announced that sewage is no longer going into the Black River as it’s now going to the treatment plant. Town water is back on-line and more homes have had power restored. Be advised that as repair work continues, there maybe need to disconnect power from time to time.
Before the play began, Peggy Svec announced that the Principal George Thomson wanted desperately to be there but had developed complications to his shoulder surgery and was in the emergency room. Sadly, Thomson’s home was written off as a loss. Sending lots of healing thoughts your way George.
Talk about “dirty jobs,” we have the most incredible groups of volunteers working to get basements and yards back in shape. Warren Garfield and his wife from Springfield have spent the last three days with us and will be back tomorrow to help. He, Bill Burrows, Michael Tyrell along with Katie Kurkowiski and a host of volunteers have just been getting “down and dirty.”
If you need help, this is a good day to ask for it as come Monday we expect many volunteers will be returning to work, or in Katie’s case, returning to college. The weather forecast for Monday is not good. You can e-mail margoc@tds.net or call 226-7785.
There is a “Flash Flood Watch” in effect for our area, according to NOAA, until Tuesday. “Areas hard hit by Tropical Storm Irene will be susceptible to more flash flooding given the already wet and eroded ground, it will not take much rainfall to cause flash flooding in this situation.” It is important to understand the difference between a “watch” and a “warning.” A watch for things like a flash flood means that the odds are good for the dangerous weather, but it's not yet happening. A flash flood warning means the event is occurring.
We will be having rain later today and tomorrow and it could be heavy at times. If you are told to evacuate, LEAVE. We will be at the school to help you through it. If the rain is more than you can handle, come to the school and we’ll literally “weather it out” together.
While breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available today, at the Cavendish School, we will be starting to reduce the hours as needs are changing and the building is prepared for students on Sept. 12. On Monday, Sept 5, hours will be 10-7, unless the weather requires more. Muffins and coffee will be available in the morning, with lunch at noon and dinner at 5:30. The Cavendish Cupboard will be open during that 10-7 time period.
We are assessing what is needed by the community to determine how much longer the shelter will need to be available and whether portions of what is being done there can be moved to another location. We recognize that the pending rain could be problematic for some people and are prepared to respond as needed.
We learned yesterday that Pleasant Valley Foods has decided to close. On Monday, they came in first thing, with everything that wasn’t damaged, which allowed us to keep everyone fed while we stocked up.
The donations we’ve received seem to be going out as fast as they are coming in for certain items. Yesterday, we met with FEMA and Red Cross. We’ve asked for a lot more cleaning supplies-shovels, buckets, trash bags and wheelbarrows. In many ways we’ve moved beyond the chain saw phase and are into muck.
The Cavendish Connects website now includes much of what was included on this blog as well as a calendar of Cavendish events. The new blog, “The Dish,” includes the Cavendish Update as well as on-going information.
We asked FEMA about doing clean up work before they’ve site visited. They explained that many insurance companies require that you leave things alone until a site visit, but for FEMA, taking pictures, providing documentation (writing down expenses and tracking donations and volunteer hours) is fine. The important thing with FEMA is to call them as quickly as possible.
As far as food we are doing fine. Could use a lemon meringue pie over brownies though. We have more than enough towels and personal care items. We are not in a position to accept clothes or furniture, even though we know of at least seven families that will be unable to return to their homes. This recovery is going to take some time so we hope that people will hang in there with us.
For the last seven days the town has operated at warp speed to respond to the crisis. The stress is starting to take its toll. This isn’t good for your body, mind or spirit, so take some time to relax, take a nap, and eat a meal with friends, laugh, dance, exercise, or whatever lifts your spirit. Robin Timko will be having a meditation session at the school at 4 pm and Jane Hart will be back today with another fun art project. You actually do a lot better when you take a break.
Much of the information posted yesterday morning remains the same. Information on some additional items appears below.
Pharmacy: Rite Aid in Ludlow will have a temporary way of doing business Tuesday or Wednesday. This will be strictly medications.
Replacement Estimates: Sandy Burgess, owner of Chrisandra's Interiors in Ludlow sent the following e-mail, “I will be more than happy to do carpet/furnishing/drapery quotes for insurance purposes, there is no need for a purchase, just call me at 802-228-2075 or 802-484-3110 so I can help in this way. The important thing is you get an accurate replacement estimate. She also noted Cavendish is an amazing community as are all communities in Vermont dealing with this disaster. The meals are fantastic and what a big help after you've worked all day pulling out wet damaged goods and sopping sheet rock. I had someone in my shop today who has a home here and said and I quote " If this had happened back home everyone would still be sitting around waiting for help...I am amazed at the people here and how fast they are putting everything back together" unquote.
Check Facebook and this blog for information throughout the day.
Great job last night Cavendish players for entertaining the town and National Guard and for providing a much needed break for those cleaning up their homes and the many who have served our town for seven straight days. What a treat to see the Proctorsville Fire fighters coming in for dinner/theater wearing full dress uniforms. A very special thanks to Kata Welch who rewrote sections of the play to incorporate past week events and to Sandra Russo, without whom none of this would have been possible.
My favorite moment was backstage last night. A National Guard soldier was looking for a mirror to check his eye. Dr. Bont a.k.a. Dr. Harlow played himself and took care of him. Oh, there was another moment, seeing Daryl Stowell in the audience. Good to see him off his tractor, where he has spent many hours on the back roads getting them up and running again.
At the end of the play, the Town Manager, Richard Svec announced that sewage is no longer going into the Black River as it’s now going to the treatment plant. Town water is back on-line and more homes have had power restored. Be advised that as repair work continues, there maybe need to disconnect power from time to time.
Before the play began, Peggy Svec announced that the Principal George Thomson wanted desperately to be there but had developed complications to his shoulder surgery and was in the emergency room. Sadly, Thomson’s home was written off as a loss. Sending lots of healing thoughts your way George.
Talk about “dirty jobs,” we have the most incredible groups of volunteers working to get basements and yards back in shape. Warren Garfield and his wife from Springfield have spent the last three days with us and will be back tomorrow to help. He, Bill Burrows, Michael Tyrell along with Katie Kurkowiski and a host of volunteers have just been getting “down and dirty.”
If you need help, this is a good day to ask for it as come Monday we expect many volunteers will be returning to work, or in Katie’s case, returning to college. The weather forecast for Monday is not good. You can e-mail margoc@tds.net or call 226-7785.
There is a “Flash Flood Watch” in effect for our area, according to NOAA, until Tuesday. “Areas hard hit by Tropical Storm Irene will be susceptible to more flash flooding given the already wet and eroded ground, it will not take much rainfall to cause flash flooding in this situation.” It is important to understand the difference between a “watch” and a “warning.” A watch for things like a flash flood means that the odds are good for the dangerous weather, but it's not yet happening. A flash flood warning means the event is occurring.
We will be having rain later today and tomorrow and it could be heavy at times. If you are told to evacuate, LEAVE. We will be at the school to help you through it. If the rain is more than you can handle, come to the school and we’ll literally “weather it out” together.
While breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available today, at the Cavendish School, we will be starting to reduce the hours as needs are changing and the building is prepared for students on Sept. 12. On Monday, Sept 5, hours will be 10-7, unless the weather requires more. Muffins and coffee will be available in the morning, with lunch at noon and dinner at 5:30. The Cavendish Cupboard will be open during that 10-7 time period.
We are assessing what is needed by the community to determine how much longer the shelter will need to be available and whether portions of what is being done there can be moved to another location. We recognize that the pending rain could be problematic for some people and are prepared to respond as needed.
We learned yesterday that Pleasant Valley Foods has decided to close. On Monday, they came in first thing, with everything that wasn’t damaged, which allowed us to keep everyone fed while we stocked up.
The donations we’ve received seem to be going out as fast as they are coming in for certain items. Yesterday, we met with FEMA and Red Cross. We’ve asked for a lot more cleaning supplies-shovels, buckets, trash bags and wheelbarrows. In many ways we’ve moved beyond the chain saw phase and are into muck.
The Cavendish Connects website now includes much of what was included on this blog as well as a calendar of Cavendish events. The new blog, “The Dish,” includes the Cavendish Update as well as on-going information.
We asked FEMA about doing clean up work before they’ve site visited. They explained that many insurance companies require that you leave things alone until a site visit, but for FEMA, taking pictures, providing documentation (writing down expenses and tracking donations and volunteer hours) is fine. The important thing with FEMA is to call them as quickly as possible.
As far as food we are doing fine. Could use a lemon meringue pie over brownies though. We have more than enough towels and personal care items. We are not in a position to accept clothes or furniture, even though we know of at least seven families that will be unable to return to their homes. This recovery is going to take some time so we hope that people will hang in there with us.
For the last seven days the town has operated at warp speed to respond to the crisis. The stress is starting to take its toll. This isn’t good for your body, mind or spirit, so take some time to relax, take a nap, and eat a meal with friends, laugh, dance, exercise, or whatever lifts your spirit. Robin Timko will be having a meditation session at the school at 4 pm and Jane Hart will be back today with another fun art project. You actually do a lot better when you take a break.
Much of the information posted yesterday morning remains the same. Information on some additional items appears below.
Pharmacy: Rite Aid in Ludlow will have a temporary way of doing business Tuesday or Wednesday. This will be strictly medications.
Replacement Estimates: Sandy Burgess, owner of Chrisandra's Interiors in Ludlow sent the following e-mail, “I will be more than happy to do carpet/furnishing/drapery quotes for insurance purposes, there is no need for a purchase, just call me at 802-228-2075 or 802-484-3110 so I can help in this way. The important thing is you get an accurate replacement estimate. She also noted Cavendish is an amazing community as are all communities in Vermont dealing with this disaster. The meals are fantastic and what a big help after you've worked all day pulling out wet damaged goods and sopping sheet rock. I had someone in my shop today who has a home here and said and I quote " If this had happened back home everyone would still be sitting around waiting for help...I am amazed at the people here and how fast they are putting everything back together" unquote.
Check Facebook and this blog for information throughout the day.
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