Cavendish Update 3/15/12 News/SB Mtg/Events

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page

This issue of the Cavendish Update is made possible by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA), a non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to the conservation of land and natural resources and to the preservation of historic sites within the context of sustainable economic growth. FMI: PO Box 605, Cavendish VT 05142 or 802-226-7736

The Cavendish Update for 3/16/12 Contains the Following
1. Select Board Meeting 3/12/12
2. Cavendish Related News
3. CCCA Sponsors Presentation on Moose and Bear in Vermont
4. Dinner and a movie is back!
5. Learn More About Helping in a Disaster
6. Solzhenitsyn Concert to Benefit Greven Field
7. Cavendish Events 3/16-3/23

1. Select Board Meeting 3/12/12
At Monday night’s Select Board meeting, the following items were discussed:

Organizational Meeting: Unelected positions were assigned similar to the ones on page 10 of this year’s Annual Report, with the exception of the following:
• Town Service Officer: While Rich Svec was voted into this position, the recommendation was made to discuss this with the two social workers, who currently have office space at Black River Health Center.
• Solid Waste Representative: Scott Ranney replaces George Timko
• Emergency Management Coordinator: Mike Ripley replaces Dave Norton
• Animal Control Officer: Norma Randall and Seth Perry will jointly hold this position
• Energy Coordinator: Request that Peter LaBelle, if he is agreeable, will also be a Coordinator
• Town Manager: Rich Svec’s term has been extended five more years to March 2017
• Selectmen’s Local Planning Commission Representative: Mark Huntley
• Vice Chair of Select Board: Bob Glidden replaces Ed Garrow
• Rep Regional Trans Advisory Com: Mark Huntley
• Green Up Committee: Tim Calabrese will be joined by Diane McNamara
• Budget: Need a replacement for Peter Gregg
• Town Rep Council on Aging: Daniel Churchill will be the only representative. However, it was suggested that maybe one of the two social workers might be interested in joining Churchill.

Expansion of Twenty Mile Stream Cemetery: Leon Woods (Woodie), sexton, informed the board that the Cemetery Commission is planning to clear land, owned by the town for cemetery expansion. Heading north on Twenty Mile Stream, it is the land just before the Cemetery. Woods explained that he has someone that is willing to clear the land for free, in exchange for the wood. He said this was not valuable wood. The grade is pretty steep, so they will be looking at “cut and fill,” a terraced landscape. There is also discussion about the possibility of this being a “cremations only” lot. This is being done because there is very limited room in this cemetery and there are requests for lots.

Woods also noted that the Commission plans to repair the Proctorsville Cemetery Vault this summer, using volunteer labor and donations from various sources. It was also noted that through the dedication of the sixth graders at Cavendish Town Elementary School, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) and Woodie and Gail Woods, the Proctor Cemetery is in the best shape it’s been in years. The sixth grade will once again be working in the Proctor Cemetery at the end of the school year along with CHS volunteers.

North Springfield Bio Mass Plant: Tom Kennedy, Executive Director of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission (WCRPC) provided the select board with information regarding the Wood Chip to Energy Plant proposed for Springfield. Kennedy explained that there are a variety of concerns including air pollution; impact on forests; trucks; noise and the considerable amount of wood and water needed to run the plant. SWCRPC has retained the law firm of Brady and Callahan with the town of Springfield for the initial Act 248 permitting process. He was clear that SWCRPC and the Town may differ, so it is possible that they may part ways in the very near future. For now know, both groups are collecting information. SWCRPC is making this information available at their website as well as providing regular updates at their Facebook page. While this project doesn’t have direct impact on Cavendish, as it does with other surrounding towns, the trucks could become a real issue. At this juncture, SWCRPC hasn’t taken a position on the project. Kennedy explained that the environmental groups are split. While many do not want nuclear energy, there is a concern that the impact on the environment from such a project as the proposed Springfield one may be equally objectionable. Unfortunately, he didn’t think the science was really clear on this issue. As it is, it will take a minimum of a year to go through the process.

Post Irene: Kennedy also spoke about funds available for Irene Recovery. He noted that the revolving door of FEMA representatives to the towns has created a lot of problems in towns getting their money. Vermont has received a federal “block grant” of $22 million, of which 80% is earmarked for Windsor and Washington counties. Since the legislature wants to see flood plains, versus more berms, a portion of this money would be used to help towns with their portion of the “buy back” program. This program allows towns to purchase property in flood plains, so the owners can move to non flood areas. This money should be available in July.

Another source of funds, in roughly the same amount as the block grant is the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). This money doesn’t have as many restrictions and will be used to help with things like infrastructure and jobs.

The Governor is proposing that towns have a maximum of three percent of the value of the grand list be allowed to pay for flood damage to towns that were heavily hit by the flood. This would be a benefit for a town the size of Cavendish, where the flood recovery is already close to $3 million.

Kennedy said that SWRPC is ready and willing to work with the town on any recovery projects.

Proposed Regional Transportation Projects Priority List: Two of the items on the state’s priority list are near to Cavendish-road and bridge repair on 103 near route 131 (project is primarily in Ludlow) and on 131 in Weathersfield.

Boring tests conducted on Whitesville Bridge indicate that the bridge can not handle heavy truck loads. Notice weight restriction signs are now up on both sides of the bridge.

The Depot Street Bridge in Proctorsville, while a top priority in 2011, may not retain that same status in 2012, due to flood damage in other parts of the state. However, the state is concerned about replacing bridges with center supports. While the bridge was initially slated for a repair, because of the center support, which is weakened and hazardous in situations like the flooding from Irene, it maybe they will now consider a replacement versus repair.

Black River Health Center Tax Exemption: At Town Meeting, the voters were clear that they did not want to continue to exempt the Black River Health Center building, because it increased their taxes. Instead, the preference is for the town and BRHC attorneys to work out language so the building reverts to the town and therefore is exempt from taxation. This needs to be done before June, when the tax rate will be set.

The Select Board Meeting is taped by LPC-TV and is available on-line and on Comcast TV.

2. Cavendish Related News
String of Burglaries Prompts Business Watch: Proctorsville and Cavendish residents are responding to a string of break-ins in the area throughout the past month, and are warning would-be burglars to stop testing their luck. Vermont State Police and local agencies have responded to about five or six burglaries in the Proctorsville area, Lt. Rick Hopkins said. While police continue to investigate the break-ins — which Hopkins said are probably related — business owners and residents are organizing to keep an eye out for one another. Eagle Times 3/13/12

Snow Geese Hunting Season Begins: Vermont officials added the special season four years ago to control the population, which is at record levels. The birds are blamed for damaging crops and march vegetation. Hunters need a license, which is free. The daily bag limit is 15 and the season ends on April 27. WCAX

High Levels of Lead, Cadmium, Nickel Found in VT Jewelry: Jewelry being sold in Vermont stores (Walmart, Icing and Claire’s), as well as nationally, contains alarming levels of toxic chemicals including lead, cadmium, nickel and arsenic, according to a new study. Many of the products tested are aimed at children. The chemicals found in the jewelry have been linked to acute allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer. Press Release

Crime Report: According to Crime Report the following crimes occurred in Cavendish during the last week:
3/10/12: 600 Block Atkinson Rd., Larceny from Building, 22:03 (10:02 pm)
3/11/12: 400 Block Main St. Proctorsville, Burglary Force non residence 13:03 (1:03 pm)
3/12/12 2500 Block Rt 103, Burglary Force Non-residence 6:03 AM
3/12/12 VT Rt 103 Proctorsville, Burglary Force non-residence, 15:03 (3:03 pm)
3/13/12 1100 Block Densmore RD, Cavendish, Burglary Force Residence 1:03 am


3. CCCA Sponsors Presentation on Moose and Bear in Vermont
On March 22 (Thursday) at 6:00 p.m. the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s Conservation Committee will sponsor the next Walk and Talk Series lecture at the Cavendish Town Office on High Street in Cavendish.

Forrest Hammond, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife District Biologist, will present a talk on moose and black bear in Vermont. These two charismatic animals are the state’s largest native wild animals. The talk will highlight their ecology, habitat, and behavior – and the best ways for humans to avoid conflicts with moose and bear, including auto accidents.

He will discuss where bear and moose spend their time in Cavendish and their home ranges, preferred travel routes and food sources. Both of the species have seen big changes in their populations over past twenty years. Forrest will discuss what the future may hold for these animals and the management challenges ahead. FMI: Robin Timko at 226-7736.

4. Dinner and a movie is back!
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is hosting its first “Dinner and a Movie” of the season on Saturday, March 24. The movie will be “The Help” and feature a generous sampling of southern food, including chocolate pie. The event is free and starts at 1 pm at the Cavendish Elementary School’s Arts room. Donations welcome. FMI: Kata at 226-7503.

5. Learn More About Helping in a Disaster
The Red Cross is holding an introductory course on Disaster Services March 21 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm at 201 Union Street in Springfield. FMI: Nicki Raymond nraymond@gmcarc.org or 802-254-2377 to register.

6. Solzhenitsyn Concert to Benefit Greven Field
Ignat Solzhenitsyn will play a benefit concert to help restore the Greven baseball and softball fields in Proctorsville. The fields, dugouts, bleachers, bases, fences, snack shack and storage shed were destroyed or damaged during Tropical Storm Irene.

An evening of Beethoven, Schubert and Prokofiev will take place on Friday, April 6, 7 at GMUHS auditorium. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students. Tickets are available at: Crow´s Bakery, Proctorsville; Misty Valley Books, Chester; Blue Sky Trading Co., Ludlow, Springfield Food Coop, Springfield Green Mountain Pharmacy, Londonderry Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Shiretown Books, Woodstock and the Weston Village Store, Weston

The concert is being underwritten by the Cavendish Community Fund and NewsBank FMI: cavendishbaseball@gmail.com

7. Cavendish Events 3/16/3/23
March 16 (Friday): CTES Half Day of School

March 17 (Saturday): HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

March 20 (Tuesday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10-11:15. 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
• Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm Agenda posted to http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2012/03/ctes-board-meeting-agenda-32012.html

March 22 (Thursday): Bone Builders Class at the Cavendish Baptist-- Class from 10-11:15. 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
• CCCA’s Walk and Talk Series on Moose and Black Bear, 6 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. See article above for more information