Cavendish Update 9/13/13 SB Mtg/News/Storm/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 9/13/13 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:

1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 9/9/13

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Friday the 13^th-A special day in Cavendish

4. Cavendish Community Fund Sponsors Fall Fundraising Raffle

5. Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 9/9/13

Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television.

Monday night’s meeting was heavily attended as several issues-medical marijuana dispensary and Chubb Hill Road were on the agenda. Two topics that were related, and were of specific importance-medical marijuana and a crime wave in Cavendish village, have been reported in more detail at http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2013/09/9913-sb-meeting-dispensarycrime-wave.html 

Below is a summary of the evening’s discussion and voting

A. Sustainability

• Zero Sort: Jim Toher, Waste Management Market Area Manager and Randy Dapron, Resource Solutions Market Area for Casella were present to answer questions and explain the Zero Sort recycling system. The board unanimously voted to:

-       • Adopt Zero Sort Recycling for the Cavendish Transfer Station

-      •  To purchase a new compactor for the recyclables

-      •  Opt for an average commodity rate (ACR) structure for two years.

Using ACR, the town will either pay or be reimbursed based on the average value of recyclables in a given month. This system seems to work very well for many of the towns in Vermont who are using zero sort. Given the closure of Wheelbrator in Claremont, Cavendish’s solid waste will now be going to Rutland. Since it will take six weeks for the new compactor to arrive, it is expected that Zero Sort in Cavendish will be operational by Thanksgiving. Volunteers will be needed to help in the early weeks of the program.

Learn more about Zero Sort recycling by going to the Casella Zero Sort site.

• Solar Project: The solar panels, to be located on town property near the sewer treatment plant, is moving ahead. Trees are being removed by both Green Mountain Power and the town. Those being removed by the town will be sold or used by the town garage to help offset costs.

• Direct Mailing: In a few weeks, residents will receive a mailing from the town office that will include information about Zero Sort, the PACE program (a financing program designed to help qualified homeowners invest in specific energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements) and other energy efficiency measures.

B. Medical Marijuana Dispensary: This was a heavily discussed item at the meeting, even though there was no voting required by the Select Board. This stems from Green Mountain Apothocare applying for a medical marijuana dispensary license, which if approved by the state, they would like to open at the Black River Health Center (BRHC) in Cavendish. The overwhelming position of the audience was that it wasn’t appropriate for the town to be home to the dispensary primarily because of public safety and the lack of a police force. The BRHC board will be discussing whether Green Mountain Apothocare should be a tenant, on Sept. 26 at 7 pm at the Health Center in Cavendish village. This is a public meeting and anyone can attend.

Ultimately, it will be up to the state to decide who is awarded the fourth and final dispensary license. Regardless of who receives it, Cavendish has no zoning or ordinance that would prohibit the opening of such a dispensary whether it would be at the BRHC or another location. For more information on this part of the meeting, go to http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2013/09/9913-sb-meeting-dispensarycrime-wave.html 

C. Criminal Activities in Cavendish Village: Dovetailing into the discussion of the medical marijuana dispensary, but occurring at the end of the meeting, three residents of Cavendish came forward with significant problems they have been dealing with in Cavendish village.  Please see http://cavendishvt.blogspot.com/2013/09/9913-sb-meeting-dispensarycrime-wave.htmlfor more information.

D. Grant to Update Town Plan: The Board approved the town’s filing for a grant to receive approximately $11,000 to update the town plan. The document will require new sections including flood resiliency, economic development, and inclusion of the 2012 survey conducted by the Cavendish Planning Commission. Results of this survey are available on-line. 

E. Paving Projects: Work has been completed on Twenty Mile Stream, Tarbell Hill, Proctorsville Village Green, and Pratt Hill. Svec was very pleased with the contractors hired, who were able to do more and bring it in under budget.

On Monday Sept 16, road work is slated for part of Center Road in Cavendish. As a result, section of Center road-Davis Rd to Brook Rd-  will be closed (access only by local traffic) from the 16th at 8 am until Sept 18 at 5 pm. Signs will be posted at Center and Davis Road, Brook and Center Roads and Hoey Road. Note-this may be changed due to the recent storm.

F. Chubb Hill Road: Ken Emery, friend, neighbor and distant relative of Donnie Davis presented a bill to the Select Board on behalf of Davis, who now lives in Missouri. Davis gave up part of his land to provide a safer access to route 131 from Chubb Hill Road. Emery wrote in the bill statement, “The project could have been completed in 2012 and the expense to accomplish the paper work would have been the cost of a postage stamp.” Davis was required to drive to Montpelier, shortly before he moved this summer, to physically obtain the permit. Emery’s bill is for “$300 and any Gratuity that you see fit.” The break down of the bill includes 5 hours of time at $40 per hour and mileage (200 miles to Montpelier and back at .50¢ per mile). Svec said that he had already put in money for Davis’s trip to Montpelier at the town rate, which is less than .50¢ per mile, and for 168 miles, which is what he has clocked the trip as being.

Final figures on the cost of the Chubb Hill project are not in and Svec has requested that the board meet on Monday Sept. 16 at 6:30 to discuss and vote on this. Residents in the Chubb Hill area recommended that a fourth arrow be placed on Chubb Hill to warn of the upcoming turn onto the access road. There are still some issues relating to Chubb Hill that need to be discussed, including the guard rail and removal of the old Chubb Hill sign.

G. Staley Property: The burned out property on Mill Street is in foreclosure. While the bank had been paying the taxes up until the fire, this hasn’t taken place since. It was suggested that the town sell the property at the next tax sale. In the mean time, since the property as is constitutes a public safety and health hazard, the board voted to hire a contractor to remove the debris and repair the ground. A lean will be placed on the house, for the cost of the clean up.

H. Replacement of the Town Clerk/Treasurer: With Jane Pixley retiring as town clerk/treasurer at the end of this month, an interim position was posted. Only one applicant responded. The board approved Diane McNamara, currently the town’s administrative assistant, to fill this position until the March town meeting. Since this means she will vacate her existing position at the town office, a replacement will need to be found.

I. Retirement Party for Jane Pixley: There will an “Open House” afternoon on Friday, Sept 27 from 1-4:30 honoring Jane for her 27 years working for Cavendish, first at CTES and for the last 19 as town clerk/treasurer. The open house will include light refreshments and an opportunity for the community to stop by and thank her for her years of service and dedication to the town.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Power Continues to Remain Out in Parts of Cavendish: As of 7 am this morning 428 customers are still without power in Cavendish, including the Town Office. Note that the phones do work. Approximately 6,000 GMP customers statewide remain without power According to a press release from GMP, it maybe Saturday before full power is restored. 

Fatal Accident on Route 103 near the intersection of 131: On 09/10/13 Vermont State Police along with Chester Police, Proctorville Fire, Ludlow Fire and Ludlow Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle crash between a tractor-trailer truck and car, on Vermont Route 103 in Cavendish. Brenton Stilwell was traveling north in a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee when he drifted over the yellow center line and collided with Robert Morris (traveling south) who was driving a 2007 International 9900I tractor trailer truck. Stilwell appears to have not been wearing his seat belt and was ejected from his vehicle. Stilwell was transported to the Springfield Hospital and pronounced deceased. It is still being investigated as to why Stilwell's vehicle traveled over the center line. Morris sustained no injures from this crash but was precautionary transported to Springfield Hospital to be checked. VT State Police Press Release

CTES Board Minutes for 8/20/13 and 8/27/13 and TRSU Policies: The unapproved minutes from the CTES board meeting appear on-line  Now part of the Twin Rivers Student Union (TRSU), policies have been posted and will be discussed at the upcoming school board meeting on Sept. 17, 5 pm at the school.

NozzleheadsPut on a Show: The Nozzleheads of the Proctorsville Fire Dept. once again competed in the VT State Firefighter’s Association Annual Convention Muster Games in Bennington. Vermont Journal 

CCCA Summer Newsletter: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association has just posted their summer newsletter to http://www.cavendishccca.org/images/CCCA_Summer_2013_Newsletter1.pdf

3. FRIDAY THE 13^TH-A SPECIAL DAY IN CAVENDISH

Today is the 165^th anniversary of Phineas Gage’s accident in Cavendish. You can mark this occasion in several ways-

• Attend the Cavendish Historical Society’s special program on Sunday, Sept. 15 on Phineas Gage. This will include a guided walking tour. Program begins at 2 pm.

• Purchase a Gage ornament or pin available at the CHS museum or by calling 226-7807 or e-mailing margoc@tds.net These are handmade from felt and the “tamping rod” is removable.

4. CCF SPONSORS FALL FUNDRAISING RAFFLE

Committee members of the Cavendish Community Fund have announced that they are sponsoring a fall fund raising raffle in Cavendish.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the Fund to help support Community grants.  The Fund relies completely on local fundraising and depends on community support to accomplish its mission to bring quality artistic, cultural and educational programs, projects and events to Cavendish.  The fund has distributed over $27,000 in the last six years to Cavendish endeavors.

The raffle consists of several terrific prizes including:

• Bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne,
• Two night stay at the Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion,
• Two hand-made stained glass leaves from Field Hill Studios,
• One year Gold Membership at the Castle Health Spa, and Aveda hair products,
• Gift basket from Singleton’s Market in Proctorsville,
• Gift certificates for Vermont Fresh Pasta,
• Gift certificates for Old Cavendish Monkey Bars, and
• Cavendish made woven grapevine basket by Wendy Regier.

Tickets are three for $5 or eight for $10.  Tickets are available at Crow’s Bakery on Depot Street in Proctorsville, at The Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion, at Six Loose Ladies Yarn Shop, at The Village Clipper Hair Salon, and at Stepping Stones Preschool.  The drawing will be on November 16th at the Community Fund’s Scotch Tasting Party, which will be held at The Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion.

For further information, or to order tickets, please call Peter LaBelle at 226-7250 or call Barbara Dickey at 226-7187.

5. EVENTS

This is a very busy weekend in Cavendish. On Saturday, Sept. 14, there is the first ever Vermont Golden Honey Festival  at the Golden Stage Inn from 10-4  and it’s also the Household Hazardous Waste Collections day for our area. Collections will take place from 9-noon at the Weathersfield and Springfield Transfer Stations.

On Sunday, Sept 15, the Cavendish Baptist Church will donate $5 to the CTES Elementary PTO Activity Fund for each person who comes to Back to School Sunday. Lots of fun activities for kids and a free cook out for all. At 2pm is the special program celebrating the 165^th anniversary of Phineas Gage’s accident at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.

Coming up this week is a special Select Board Meeting at 6:30 on Monday evening, where Chubb Hill Road costs will be discussed and voted on. On Tuesday, the CTES Board meets Tuesday Sept. 17 at 5:30 pm at the school.

To learn more about upcoming events in Cavendish and surrounding towns go to:

-  Events listed by month 

-  Events listed by day 

To register an event go to http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/central-vermont-event-calendar/community/add/