Cavendish Update 12/16/11 SB/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 12/16/11 Cavendish Update Contains
1. Select Board Meeting 12/12/11
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Cavendish Town Elementary School: Minutes 11/15/11 & Agenda 12/16/11
4. Robin Timko Exhibits at the Cavendish Community Library
5. Cavendish Events 12/16/11-12/24/11

1. Select Board Meeting 12/12/11
The Select Board (SB) meeting was taped by LPC-TV and appears on Comcast Television and on-line. The following items were discussed:

A. 53 Depot Street: The board was slated to continue discussion of the October and November meetings regarding the derelict, fire-damaged wood framed building located at the end of Pie Alley off Depot Street in Proctorsville. The building is owned by Dean Kauppinen, who has been invited to several meetings, hearings and site visits, including this month’s SB meeting . At the November SB meeting, town manager Rich Svec read a letter from Kauppinen refuting the findings of the Public Health Notice issued in October. In the letter from the town’s Board of Health, Kauppinen’s building was sited as follows: “The subject building has previously been the subject of numerous prior citizen complaints to the Board of Selectmen and the Town Health officer for issues such as:
1. Fire Hazard;
2. Holes and openings to the structure, which afforded points of entry for vermin, rodents, pigeons and other birds;
3. Attractive nuisance to neighborhood children especially when potential openings for entry are in evidence;
4. Potential collapse hazard, and
5. Blight upon the neighborhood

As Kauppinen was not in attendance, the board took up the matter of a Cavendish Dangerous and/or Derelict Building Ordinance

B. Dangerous and/or Derelict Building Ordinance: Svec provided a draft ordinance, which the board went through line by line. He based this draft from existing ordinances in other VT towns, combining vacant building and dangerous building ordinances.

In the draft, a dangerous building is defined as “Any building or structure or part thereof that, for the lack of proper maintenance repair, or sanitation is hazardous to the health or safety of the public or likely to endanger other buildings or property or pose other public nuisance.” A derelict building is defined as “Any building or structure that is unoccupied by a person or is occupied by unauthorized persons and, due to lack of proper maintenance, repair or sanitation is hazardous to the health and/or safety of the public or pose other public nuisance. Unoccupied buildings, which are part of a property, which is in a pending estate or sale may not necessarily be considered derelict by vacancy alone, however, such status specifically does not preclude the building from action per this ordinance….”

The Ordinance calls for the appointment of a Building Safety Officer by the SB, who with a second person, such as law enforcement, fire, engineers and other qualified experts, will inspect the building. Written notice of intent to conduct an inspection will be given to the owner of the building or structure at least 72 hours prior to the inspection. If the structure is found to be unsafe a Building Safety Order will be issued. In the event that the owner does not comply with the Order, the violation becomes a civil matter with associated fines for each violation.

The SB made some minor changes and has requested that Svec have the revised document reviewed by the town’s attorney. They are prepared to vote on final approval at the January 9 SB meeting. Once they have signed the Ordinance, it becomes effective 60 days later. During the first 30 days of the 60 days, citizens can petition for changes to the Ordinance. For more information, or copies of the draft Ordinance, please call the town office 226-7292.

External Presentations Regarding Budget: The following organizations were present to request level funding in the upcoming town budget and to explain their programs, their contribution to the town and answer any questions the SB might have: Green MT RSVP; The Current-CT River Transit; Black River Senior Center; Windsor County Youth Service; Black River Good Neighbors; Council on Aging; Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice; American Red Cross and New Beginnings.

Irene Clean Up and FEMA: No funds have received to date. The current borrowing notes, $1,000,000 will need to be extended in the next few weeks. The paper work required for FEMA is extensive and they have just requested an estimate of what it’s going to cost to complete the rebuild. Svec, working with Rolf Van Schiak and others, hope to provide a reasonable estimate in the time frame required. Work continues on various parts of town. Winery Rd Bridge was just completed with the addition of the guardrails. Other areas continue to be problematic, but work continues.

2. Cavendish Related News
New Springfield Court Office to Open: A new court office has opened in Springfield for Windsor County. Replacing the North Springfield Probate Courthouse, which closed on Dec. 6. The office is not just for probate business. Residents may file petitions and other documents in family, civil or probate matters being heard in the Windsor unit, or to pay certain fines. Burlington Free Press

3. Cavendish Town Elementary School: Minutes 11/15/11 & Agenda 12/16/11
The Nov. 15 School Board Meeting Minutes are now posted at the Cavendish Update Blog.

The agenda for the School’s Dec. 16 meeting, 9 am at the school, includes:
• Personnel
a.) Tuition Waiver Requests – (Action Requested) The following teachers are requesting that their children be allowed to attend CTES for the 2012-2013 school year: Ann Thompson, Ellen Cameron and Jennifer Harper. The latter two teachers are also requesting that their children, who will in 2012 be allowed to go to Green Mountain.
• Finance
a.) FY’ 13 Budget – (Hand Carried)
• Joint Supervisory Union Merger/Consolidation Update
• Principal’s Report
• Superintendent Report

4. Robin Timko Exhibits at the Cavendish Community Library
I have chosen a few of my recent works, portraits of Jade Lily (Leven) and Irma, a pastel painting from inside Crows Bakery, the gray house on Main St. and a view of 20 Mile Stream to share with the community. It is wonderful to have a space like our library where community members can exhibit their work and I am grateful to Kata Welch for making this possible.

5. Cavendish Events 12/16/11-12/24/11
December 17 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com

December 18 (Sunday): Cavendish Baptist Church-Christmas Play and Potluck Celebration, 10 am at the church. Come be entertained as children from the community present an original play that explores how to share the Spirit of Christmas all year long. Bring a dish to share at the potluck lunch following the performance. FMI: 226-7131

December 20 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI: Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870
• HAPPY HANUKKAH: the first night begins today. To learn more about this celebration, go to http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default_cdo/jewish/Hanukkah.htm

December 22 (Thursday): Winter solstice-The day when the earth’s northern hemisphere is titled the farthest from the sun giving the shortest amount of daylight.
• Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10:15-11:45. FMI:
Linda at Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County at (802) 885-2083, or Anne Oakes or Andrew Ohotnicky at (802) 228-5236, Dot Ramsdell at (802) 226-7870
• 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

December 23 (Friday): Holiday recess begins for GMUHS and CTES
• HAPPY FESTIVUS: For Seinfeld fans, today is Festivus, a secular holiday to celebrate the holiday season. It includes such things as a “Festivus Pole,” an unadorned aluminum pole; the “Airing of Grievances;” “Feats of Strength,” and the occasional Festivus Miracle. Festivus was the name of a seasonal Ben & Jerry’s flavor.

December 24 (Saturday): Winter Farmers Market at the Ludlow Teen Center (Goodmans American Pie), Main Street Ludlow. FMI: www.ludlowfarmersmarket.com
• Cavendish Baptist Church-Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 7 pm at the church. This special service retells the story of Jesus' birth through Bible readings and Christmas songs. Glow bracelets are available for children too young to hold candles. FMI: 226-7131
• A Lesson in Carols is being held 5 pm at St. James Church in Proctorsville. This is a combined service of Gethsemane Episcopal Church and St. James Methodist Church . All are welcome.