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