Cavendish Update 4/27/12 News/Helipad/Events

Information can also be posted on the Cavendish VT Facebook Page.

The 4/27/12 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Helipad Decision on Hold Until May SB Meeting
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Home, Energy and Business Expo
4. CCCA Annual Photo Contest Begins
5. CCCA to Discuss Reptiles and Amphibians
6. The Cavendish Library Welcomes Best Selling Author Archer Mayor
7. Cavendish Events 4/27-5/5/12

1. Helipad Decision on Hold Until May SB Meeting
The Cavendish Selectboard will decide at their regularly scheduled May 14 meeting whether the town will take action against pending litigation from David Coutu, the second homeowner who was denied permission to construct a private helicopter landing site on his property off of Heald Rd. in Proctorsville.

According to the article in the April 24 Eagle Times, town manager Rich Svec was quoted as saying, “What the Selectboard did was, it was contemplating the applicant’s petition for getting town approval for a helicopter landing pad, with town apparently a requisite for the application process with the transportation board. In the statute, there’s no guideline as to exactly how that approval is to come. Without that approval, they considered his application incomplete.”

Coutu has continually stated that the town has no say in the helipad, since the town has no zoning. The suit Coutu filed in October, against the town, selectmen and town manager, was done after the Vermont Supreme Court instructed the transportation board to hold a public hearing and make a ruling on Coutu’s application. The Transportation Board’s decision on Nov.4, 2011 currently denies the helipad because the application was incomplete. However, they also approved it contingent on Coutu either obtaining permission from Cavendish or a final court order ruling that the town lacks the legal authority to approve such a facility. According to the Transportation Board’s decision, “The Supreme Court has held in this matter that an appeal from the town’s decision disapproving the proposed helipad was Mr. Coutu’s exclusive remedy. Although Coutu argues at length the town did not have legal authority to disapprove his application, the board believes he now asks the board to act beyond its authority by reviewing the merits of a municipal action. The board cannot and will no do so.”

2. Cavendish Related News
Vermont's environment had a rough year in 2011 According to a report issued Monday by the Agency of Natural Resources on the health of the state's environment, “Average annual precipitation has increased by 15 to 20 percent in the past 50 years. Across the Northeast, heavy downpours have increased in frequency and intensity, too; these storms now release 67 percent more rain than they did 50 years ago. These trends could increase flooding in Vermont in the future.” Burlington Free Press

WRJ Postal Facility Likely to Remain Open: The center, which employs 250 workers, is among more than 100 processing centers previously scheduled for closure that the postal service now says it will potentially keep open to comply with legislation moving through the Senate. Burlington Free Press

Social Security to be Insolvent by 2033: Social Security is rushing even faster toward insolvency, driven by retiring baby boomers, a weak economy and politicians' reluctance to take painful action to fix the huge retirement and disability program. The trust funds that support Social Security will run dry in 2033 -- three years earlier than previously projected -- the government said yesterday. Associated Press

Minimum Age for Blood Donation Lowered to 16: Governor Peter Shumlin signed a bill into law on Tuesday, April 24, effectively lowering the minimum age of blood donation from 17 to 16 in Vermont. Upon the signing of House Bill 760, Vermont became the 39th state to allow 16-year-olds the opportunity to give the gift of life for patients in need. The Red Cross requires parental consent for 16-year-olds to donate blood and estimates the new law will add over 1000 additional blood donors each year in Vermont. Press Release

3. Home, Energy and Business Expo
The Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission and the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring for the Home Energy and Business Expo: a free event for Vermont families, home and farm owners, and businesses, created to showcase products and services that will decrease energy costs, improve the surrounding community, and build regional business sustainability. The event will take place on May 12, from 10-3 at the Jackson Gore Inn in Ludlow.

Platinum sponsors and speakers include Efficiency of Vermont and HB Energy Solutions. Net Zero Renewable Resources, SameSun of Vermont, and Cota & Cota are diamond sponsors. Expo exhibitors include South Face, VT Foam Insulation, The Good Bus, Awesome Graphics, Stone Hearth Inn, Ludlow Pharmacy, Sherwin Williams Paints, Ludlow Pharmacy, Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern, Awesome Graphics, The Good Bus, Vermont Foam, Southface Design, Inn Victoria, Calm Moments Spa Services, Skygate Financial Group, Jackson Gore Inn, Hawks Mountain Consulting, LaValley's, Springfield Humane Society, Catamount Solar, CZ Environmental Remediation, Ruxana's Home Interiors, New England Deck and Patio, Broadbandvt.org, Live Authentically, Vermont Journal, Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts, Heritage Family Credit Union, WestonVT, FreshPods, Knight Tubs, R.E. Wiggin Building & Remodeling, Hawks Mountain Consulting, Message for the Week, Prudent/Biebel, VTel, Southern Windsor Solid Waste Management, CT River Transit, and Windsor & Windham Housing Trust.
Attendance is free of charge and will feature hands-on displays and exhibitor give-a-ways. Food and beverages will be available and local inns will be providing samples and tastings. FMI: Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce at 802-228-5830.

4. CCCA Annual Photo Contest Begins
This year marks the eighth year of the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s annual calendar, and once again the calendar pictures will be selected through the annual photo contest. Photographers compete for several prizes in the contest including the opportunity to be published as a monthly selection in the annual calendar. This year the contest begins on May 8th and the deadline for all submissions is June 5th.

Again this year the contest theme is “A View of Cavendish”. There will be two contests in one event. First is the judged Cavendish photo contest, in which judges will select one prize winner for each of three age categories, five to twelve, thirteen to eighteen, and over eighteen. Second is the contest for inclusion in the 2013 calendar. Cavendish residents will vote for their favorite pictures, selecting twelve for the calendar, and the photo with the most votes receives the Popular Choice Award. All participants must be part or full time Cavendish town residents. Photos will highlight the beauty of our various landscapes and historic heritage and may include animals and people. One photo is allowed per person, taken by the person submitting it.

Contest guidelines and rules, and entry forms and instructions on how to enter will be available at the CCCA website, at the Town Offices on High Street in Cavendish, or at Crow’s Bakery on Depot St. in Proctorsville.

This year we will make an extra effort for more people to see and vote for their favorite photos. We will create a portable photo show to display at various locations during June. We are very pleased to be able to present the community's work to the community. Be sure to enter your photo taken in Cavendish for the 2013 calendar. If you have any questions, please contact Robin Timko at 226-7736.

5. CCCA to Discuss Reptiles and Amphibians
On Saturday, May 5th at 1 p.m. join the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association for a real treat when we gather at the Cavendish Town Office for another event in the Walk and Talk Series. James Andrews, Vermont’s foremost state herpetologist and Chair of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group will share with us his knowledge about the various species of toads, frogs, snakes, salamanders and other creatures that live in our midst. This one hour presentation will be followed by a guided field trip in Cavendish expected to last three hours.

James has worked for many years on the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas which collects and disseminates data needed to make informed recommendations regarding the status, state rank, and conservation of Vermont’s reptiles and amphibians. With the help of volunteers, he works to involve and inform Vermont individuals and organizations so that they can become more informed and effective stewards of wildlife habitat.

You can read more about his work and his organization on the internet. Just go to www.middlebury.edu and type in “The Vermont Reptile & Amphibian Atlas” in the space at the top, and it will lead you to the page. FMI: Tim O’Donoghue at 226-7023.

6. The Cavendish Library Welcomes Best Selling Author Archer Mayor
Newfane Vermonter and New York Times Bestselling Author Archer Mayor will be talking at 1pm at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library on Saturday May 5th. Bring your questions and your favorite Joe Gunter books to be signed. The Book Nook and The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library proudly host this free Archer Mayor event at Cavendish Fletcher Community Library at 537 Main Street, Proctorsville, Vermont. This is a free event.

7. Cavendish Events 4/27-5/5/12
April 27 (Friday): Spring recess-No School!

April 28 (Saturday): Wild and Woolly Weekend in Proctorsville. There will be vendors with fine hand-made tools for the fiber artist as well as yarns & fibery fantasies for fondling fingers! FREE demonstrations on learning how to crochet to Saori weaving and lots lots more. Classes from microwave dyeing to braided mug rugs, check out the complete list. DOOR PRIZES! Live Music with Spencer Lewis. Join our "hands on" felting demonstration! The Pointe Hotel is offering a discount package with some great amenities to Wild & Woolly participants. Check out our website for other local inns offering Wild & Woolly packages. FMI: www.sixlooseladies.com
• Rotary Club Penny Sale at the Black River High School Auditorium in Ludlow, 6 pm. Admission is free. Proceeds are used for college scholarships for area high school students, including Cavendish, as well as community projects, such as Greven Field, LPCTV etc.
• The federal Drug Enforcement Agency's fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day takes place from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The following locations are participating: Weathersfield Transfer Station, 5024 Route 106; Ludlow Police Dept, 19 West Hill; Springfield Police Dept, 201 Clinton Street; and Windsor Police Dept., 29 Union St. For other locations.

April 29 (Sunday): Wild and Wooly Weekend in Proctorsville. See April 28.

May 1 (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
• GMUHS booster Club Meeting, 7pm at the school.

May 2 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 PM at the Cavendish Town Office
• CTES PTO Meeting, 7 pm at the school

May 3 (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

May 5 (Saturday): Green Up Day Meet at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville at 9 am for routes, bags and gloves. Starting at noon, there will be a BBQ at the Proctorsville Town Green. If you can, bring a side dish to share. For the vegetarians, there will be veggie burgers. Rain Date is May 6. FMI: 226-7292
• CCCA’s Walk and Talk series on Reptiles and Amphibians with James Andrews, VT’s foremont state herpetologist and Chair of the VT Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group. This one hour presentation will be followed by a guided field trip in Cavendish expected to last three hours. FMI: Tim O’Donoghue at 226-7023.
• Jeffery Archer will be talking at 1 pm at the Cavendish Library. FMI: 226-7503