Cavendish Update 5/18/12 News/Events/Classified

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 5/18/12 Cavendish Update Contains:
1. Disturbance Resolved Safely in Cavendish
2. Select Board Meeting 5/14/12
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Second Annual Town Wide Tag Sale
5. Tropical Storm Irene-NeighborWorks Week 2012 in Cavendish
6. Got Bats?
7. llustrations from Indian Books on Permanent Display at the Cavendish Library
8. Nudge for Cavendish Photo Bugs
9. Classifieds
10. Black River Good Neighbor to Open Gently Used Furniture
11.Notice of Vacancy: Cemetery Commission
12. Cavendish Events 5/18-5/28

1. Disturbance Resolved Safely in Cavendish
On Thursday at approximately 6 am, Troopers from the Rockingham Barracks were called to a disturbance at a residence on Chubb Hill Road in Cavendish involving a male with multiple firearms. Initial information indicated that the subject, Douglas Thompson, age 49 of Chester, Vermont, arrived at the residence in a recreational vehicle. The resident did not know Thompson and noted he was in possession of several firearms. The resident reported Thompson had made statements about wanting to confront police and took actions that would lead one to believe he was preparing for an armed confrontation. The resident of the location on Chubb Hill Road left to contact State Police. Due to the proximity of the armed subject to the roadway, Chubb Hill Rd was closed as a precaution.

Prior to Troopers making contact with Thompson a neighbor (unknown to Thompson) made contact with him and after some time de-escalated him. Troopers then made contact with Thompson at approximately 9:40. Once Troopers determined the situation was safe they transported Thompson from the scene to a location of his choosing.

No one was injured as a result of the incident. Thompson has not been charged with a crime and no charges are expected.

Members from the state police Tactical Support Unit responded to the scene. Assistance was provided by the Weathersfield and Chester Police departments, the Cavendish Fire department and Ludlow Ambulance. VT State Police Press Release

2. Select Board Meeting 5/14/12
At Monday night’s select board meeting, the following items were discussed:

Helipad: As reported in the April 20 and 27 Cavendish Updates, the town of Cavendish, individual select board members and town manager are being sued by David Coutu, who wants to build a helipad on his property off of Heald Rd in Proctorsville. At the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Select Board did not give approval to Coutu, as it was their opinion that the town, which has no zoning, does have a town plan to which the proposed project does not conform to because of noise and the lack of an infrastructure to respond in the event of an emergency

In response to the most recent lawsuit by Coutu, a federal mediation session was held with Cavendish officials, council and Coutu’s lawyers on April 12. At Monday’s meeting, the board voted unanimously in favor of the stipulation agreement set forth at the mediation session. It is their intent to send the decision about the helipad back to the state’s transportation division and the legislature for a decision. Because of confidentiality, no information was provided on the language of the stipulation agreement.

It should be noted that the Select Board did approve language for the Town Plan, which would prevent such issues from happening in the future.

Liquor License Approval: The Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion was approved for a liquor license.

Re Adoption of the Cavendish Town Plan: The Select Board voted to modify the town plan in two ways. The first was a slight modification to the map on views and vistas and the second pertained to Public Transportation, Rail, Air (pages 33 & 34). The board voted to modify the section title to read “Transportation-Land, Rail and Air.” Under Policies subsection, the following language is to be added:

7. Commercial and private aviators shall utilize existing regional aviation facilities for their activities. The installation and/or construction of landing sites for commercial and personal aircraft are prohibited in the Town of Cavendish. This prohibition specially does not apply to police, emergency and disaster response aircraft, which may land takeoff as may be required and safely accomplished.

The following addition was made to the Recommendations subsection: “Develop and adopt a town ordinance to prohibit the installation and/or location of personal and commercial aircraft landing sites within the Town of Cavendish.”

A public hearing on the plan adoption has been rescheduled for June 11 at 6 pm at the Town Office in Cavendish. Copies of the Town Plan can be obtained from the Town Office 226-7292.

Green Up Day: While the response on Green Up Day was smaller than normal, 25 volunteers, a number of people were actively involved in Green Up activities earlier in the week. A combination of these volunteers, plus the flood, resulted in the May 5 group reporting a lot less on the roads than in previous years.

Exemption of the Black River Health Center (BRHC): Selectmen and Chair of the BRHC, George Timko said that the board of BRHC will vote at the end of the month regarding the transferring of the BRHC building to the town. This action, which was discussed extensively at the March Town Meeting, will take the building off of the town’s tax rolls. However, this needs to be done prior to the date in June when the tax rate is determined for the town. At the March select board meeting, it was agreed that this needed to take place in a timely manner to avoid having the tax payers carry the burden of the building for another year. The request was made that the BRHC board meet as soon as possible to review the transfer papers drawn up by the attorney. Timko said this was not a very long document-just a page or two. The Select Board agreed to a special meeting prior to the regularly scheduled June meeting in order to expedite the transfer and avoid delaying this another year. Timko said the BRHC board would like to see a non-interference clause by the town in the actual operation of the Center. According to Jane Pixley, town clerk, the tax rate is set at the end of June.

FEMA/Road Work/Irene Recovery: The town has received $105,000 from FEMA for recovery efforts and additional funds are expected shortly. Road repairs are still needed and are now underway with the spring weather. Expect delays on various parts of the back roads as work is being completed. Rich Svec, town manager, indicated that FEMA will pay 90% of costs. Initially, their contribution was to be 75%, with the state putting in another 12 1/2%. The question is, now that FEMA is reimbursing at a higher level, will the state continue to contribute to help with any shortfall. While progress may not be as fast as we’d like, Svec noted that “it’s moving in the right direction.”

LPC-TV tapes meetings and makes them available on-line and Comcast Cable TV

3. Cavendish Related News
Bike Stolen: Bike Stolen from Main Street: Between 5/10/12, and 5/11/12, a red BMX bicycle was taken from a residence on Main Street, in Proctorsville. One of the tires was separated from the bicycle at the time it was taken. Both the frame and other tire were taken. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-875-2112

Proctorsville Resident Killed in Car Accident: A Proctorsville woman is dead after an accident on Interstate 89 in North Royalton. Police say the driver, 21-year old Elizabeth Wells and her passenger, Steven Pierre, were ejected from the vehicle. Wells was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Witnesses told police the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the accident. Police says neither occupant was wearing a seat belt. Wells is survived by her daughter Mya Michele Hosten-Wells. Obituary

CVPS Rate Increase: Customers of Vermont's largest electric utility could see their monthly bills go up to help pay the costs of recovering from Tropical Storm Irene. If approved, beginning on July 1, customers of the Central Vermont Public Service Corp. would see their bills increase by 1.4 percent. Press release

Utilities See Growing Opposition to “Smart Meters:” Worries about health effects, privacy and cost are fueling growing opposition to wireless, digital "smart meters" that utilities around the country are installing on homes and businesses and touting as key energy conservation and grid reliability tools. Vermont appears poised to take an unusually aggressive stance. While several states have allowed utilities to charge a fee to customers who want to opt out of smart meters, Vermont's governor is expected soon to sign legislation that would allow customers to say no without paying anything extra. VPR

A New Look at Phineas Gage: The first documented case of traumatic brain injury, Phineas Gage survived a tamping rod going through his head. A new study in the journal PLoS ONE examines the damage to the connections between the networks in Gage's brain, finding that this probably contributed to Gage's documented behavioral changes. LA Times

Costly Phone Scam Targets Elderly Vermonters: Attorney General William Sorrell, officials from FairPoint Communications and Rutland City police are warning people about a costly phone scam originating in the West Indies and targeting elderly Vermonters. VPR

White River Postal Facility to Remain Open: The U.S. Postal Service has announced that the mail processing center in White River Junction will remain open at least for another two years. It had been scheduled to close to help address a national Postal Service deficit. Under a bill passed by the Senate, most rural post offices will remain open but with fewer hours. Preliminary information indicates that while the lobby hours will remain the same, so customers can obtain mail from their PO Boxes, the counter hours will be reduced from 8 to 4 hours in Cavendish and from 8 to 6 in Proctorsville. No information yet when these reductions are projected to take place.

Celebration of 25,000th VT Strong plate Held to Soon, Number closer to 8,000: Despite a public event April 5 proclaiming that sales had hit the halfway point in a drive to sell at least 50,000, the Department of Motor Vehicles has yet to sell anywhere close to 25,000 of the “I am Vermont Strong” plates. Burlington Free Press

4. Second Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale
Information on the July 28 (Saturday) Town Wide Tag Sale has been posted to the Cavendish VT Blog. This will be updated as locations are added. Note the link on the upper right hand side of the blog under “popular posts.”

5. Tropical Storm Irene-NeighborWorks Week 2012 in Cavendish
On Friday, June 8, Gilman Housing Trust will be coming to the Cavendish area to work on reconstruction, rehab, clean up and beautification projects. The work will include painting and finishing replacement homes, revitalizing recreation fields, restoring bleachers and dugouts, carrying furniture into shelters, planting, landscaping, clearing debris etc. If you can help in this effort, or are in need of these services, please contact Peg Hale or Trisha Ingalls at Gilman Housing Trust 802-535-3555 or 888-MY VT Home. You can e-mail them at PegH@nekhome.org or Trishal@nekhome.org

6. Got Bats?
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) is seeking information on summer bat colonies in your area. Vermont’s cave-bat species continue to struggle due to the deadly effects of White-Nose Syndrome. As a result, the little brown bat is now endangered in Vermont. The VFWD is studying the survival of little brown bats that hibernate in Plymouth and is trying to locate nearby summer maternity colonies of bat. Little brown bats prefer to raise their young in warm attic and barn spaces over the summer. If you live in Cavendish, Plymouth, or surrounding towns and have bats roosting at your residence, please contact Alyssa Bennett at the Rutland regional office at 802-786-0098, or alyssa.bennett@state.vt.us. This information will be very helpful to the Department as it studies ways to save the little brown bat.

7. Illustrations from Indian Books on Permanent Display at the Cavendish Library
Photographs of the lithographs from the library’s copy of A History of the Indian tribes of North America, with biographical sketches and anecdotes of the principal chiefs, embellished with one hundred and twenty portraits from the Indian gallery in the Department of War at Washington by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall are on display via a digital picture frame at the Cavendish Library.

These books, which are sometimes referred to as “the Indian Books,” are kept in climate-controlled storage at the Vermont Historical Center in Barre to halt deterioration due to age. A reprint of the books is available in the library collection and the text of the first book is available via the library’s Kindle E- Reader.

These photographs were taken by library board members Robert Evens and Brian Benoit and are displayed as part of the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library’s efforts to make the books more accessible to the community. These images will be on permanent display in the Redfield Proctor Room of the library and available for viewing during normal open hours. FMI: 226-7503.

8. Nudge for Cavendish Photo Bugs
Reminder - 3 more weeks to submit your photo for the Calendar Contest - applications on line at or at Crows Bakery, Town Office, CTES.

9. Classifieds
Do you need your gardens tended this summer? The Marys plant, weed, transplant, rake and tidy up gardens so you don't have to. We are quick, careful and meticulous and can even build you a new raised bed if you need it! Call The Marys at 226-7497.

10. Black River Good Neighbor to Open Gently Used Furniture
On June 2nd at 10am Ludlow will have its first ever used furniture store. The announcement was made by Peter LaBelle, President of Black River Good Neighbor Services

Peter said, “With the old BRGNS building sitting idle it made complete sense to the Board of Directors that we use the facilities to fulfill the great community need for used furniture. Demand for furniture in the current store and at past rummage sales has been very high and we expect the demand will be even greater with furniture being available on a continuous basis”.

BRGNS Used Furniture Store is located at 105Main Street in Ludlow and to start it will be open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and during the week by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling Audrey Bridge at 802-228-3663. Whether you need a single piece or a whole room full of furniture BRGNS is able to fulfill your requirements.

With the availability of house wares, clothes, linens, etc. at BRGNS main store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow, BRGNS can meet you every need.

Donated furniture (in good condition, nothing broken or stained please) is happily accepted, please make arrangements for drop offs by calling Audrey. As a 501C3 charity, all contributions are tax deductible.

All proceeds will benefit local families and individuals in Ludlow, Belmont, Cavendish, Mt. Holly, Plymouth and Proctorsville.

The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be at 10am on June 2nd; there will be cake and goodies so come, join the festivities and shop!

11.Notice of Vacancy: Cemetery Commission
The Cavendish Board of Cemetery Commissioners has a vacancy for a Cemetery Commissioner position. This position will be filled for the period, which will end upon the next Cavendish Town Meeting election. This is an unpaid citizen position and will require that the successful candidate attend a later afternoon or early evening meeting quarterly, with monthly meetings during the summer months. Parties interested should submit a letter of interest by June 1, 2012 to Cemetery Commission Candidate, Cavendish Town Office, PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT 05142. FMI: Cavendish Town Clerk Jane Pixley, 226-7292

11. Cavendish Events 5/18-5/28
May 18 (Friday): GMUHS Middle School Semi Formal, 8-11 pm at the school
• Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm School to benefit Black River Good Neighbors 10-4 FMI: 228-3663 or www.brgn.org

May 19 (Saturday): GMUHS Junior Prom-Epic at Jackson Gore, 7-11 pm
• Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm School to benefit Black River Good Neighbors 10-4 FMI: 2283663 or www.brgn.org
• Paws About Town. Springfield Paws Walk to benefit Springfield Animal Shelter. Starts 9:30 a.m. at Springfield Middle School, rain or shine. Download your pledge sheet early at spfldhumane.org by clicking on Upcoming Events, then Paws About Springfield. Or pick one up at the Springfield Humane Society at 401 Skitchewaug TrailFMI: 885-3997.
• Stamp Out Hunger, the postal Letter Carriers food drive. Because of the need at Black River Good Neighbor, the drive will continue all week at the Ludlow Post Office. FMI 228-7436

May 20 (Sunday): Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm School to benefit Black River Good Neighbors 10-2 FMI: 2283663 or www.brgn.org

May 22 (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

May 24 (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
• GMUHS Art Show, 6 pm, and Pops Concert, 7 pm at the school

May 26 (Saturday): Vermont Open Studio Weekend statewide. To download a guide for the Okemo Valley, go to http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/vermont-open-studio-weekend---statewide.html

May 27 (Sunday): Vermont Open Studio Weekend statewide. To download a guide for the Okemo Valley, go to http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/vermont-open-studio-weekend---statewide.html

May 28 (Monday): Memorial Day. Schools, banks and town office closed