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 Cavendish Update for 5-16-14 Contains the
Following:
1. Notice from
Proctorsville Fire Department
2. Select Board
Meeting 5/12/14
3. Cavendish Related
News
4. Free Gravestone Cleaning Workshop & The
Vermont Movie
5. Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale-July 26
6. For Sale
7. Events
8. Yes! I Want to
Become a Friend of the Cavendish Update
1.
NOTICE FROM THE PROCTORSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
We would like to inform everyone that we will doing
Emergency Vehicle Driver Testing on Saturday May 17 starting at 8am and ending
around 2pm with the VT Sate Fire Academy. PFD Firefighters will be doing
vehicle maneuvers in various parking areas around town, the Mack Molding
parking Lot, Catholic Church parking lot and the Village Green. Please use
caution around these areas where firefighters are testing.
2. SELECT BOARD MEETING 5/12/14
Select board (SB)
meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television.
A. Sustainability/Conservation
Knapp
Brook Pond:
Tim Morton of VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation presented a Long
Range Management Plan of Compartment 5’ of the Knapp Brook Wildlife Management
Area (WMA), also known as the Evens and Turco lot. Located in Cavendish and
totaling 529 acres, the land was acquired by the state starting in 1999. The
primary goal of ownership is conservation and management of game and non-game
species. Habitat features include hard and soft mast trees, deer wintering
areas, and wetlands. The location of the parcel in a relatively un fragmented
larger forest area contributes to its value for wildlife. The Evens parcel also
features an important and popular VAST snowmobile trail. Management practices
for all parcels in the Cavendish Management Unit are projected to 2020. At
completion of this time period, it is anticipated that a new Long Range
Management Plan (LRMP) will be drafted with a projected completion date of
2022. A copy of the draft plan is available on-line. Written comments about the draft plan will be accepted until June 30, 2014.
They should be sent to Tim Morton, VT Dept. Of Forests, Parks & Recreation,
100 Mineral St., Suite 304, Springfield, VT 05156-3168, e-mail at tim.morton@state.vt.us or call
802-885-8825
Solar
Project: In
June 2013, the SB met with various solar companies in an effort to take
advantage of the Community Solar Net Metering program of Green Mountain
Power. Using a third party investor, municipalities, schools etc. can install
solar farms at no cost to them. The SB voted to go with Soveren Solar and approved approximately one acre of town land to be the location of a
solar array of approximately 500 solar panels, which would produce 150
kilowatts or $30,000 worth of electric credits (net metering) a year. Soveren
was responsible for obtaining the financing for the project and the town
proceeded to prepare the land for the solar panels. Over the course of the
winter, changes occurred. Financing was found to be difficult because of the
small size of the Cavendish project. Ultimately, the contract given to the town
to sign was different than what was discussed in the fall. As town manager,
Rich Svec, noted, it felt like a “bait and switch,” as the cost benefits to the
town were not as promised. However, the changing market and the difficulties of
funding small projects seem to be factors in the reduced benefits of the new
proposal. A new investor group Next Sun Energy is willing to sign a contract with the town. Benefits still
exist-reduction in town energy costs- but they will not be at the level
initially promised. The SB has the choice of moving forward with Next Sun or
starting over. The board agreed to continue exploring the Next Sun option.
B. Bridge Projects
# 1 Whitesville Replacement:
The
Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will be replacing Bridge 1
(Whitesville Bridge) along VT 131 in Cavendish. The existing two-span structure
will be replaced with a single span, steel girder bridge, which is being
constructed with Accelerated Bridge Construction methods. During construction the bridge will be closed from June 23 to
July 25, 2014. Construction will be complete on August 22, 2014. Similar
to Irene, there will be a sign on 131 indicating road closure with official
detour route being VT 103, VT 10/VT 106. While no signage will be posted it is
anticipated that locals will use back roads to by pass the bridge. A public
meeting regarding the bridge closure will take place on May 20, 6 pm at the
town office.
#37 Davis Road: Pre bid conference
will be on May 20 at 11 am with the selection of the winning bid at the SB
meeting on May 27 at 5 pm. Construction will take place this summer.
# 27 Brook Road: Funds for this
bridge replacement must take place before Sept. 2015. Because this will be the
local route for the Bridge #1 detour, it needs to be strengthened to
accommodate heavy loads, including fire trucks. The SB approved Svec following
up with the National Guard and State on temporary bridges, as well as a rental
option. Due to the detour, the town will receive over $12,000 to help with
roads. This money can be used to help with a temporary fix. After Bridge #1 is
finished, Bridge #27 will be permanently replaced.
Depot Street: SB member Mike
Ripley said that some residents are interested in seeing this become a covered
bridge, which is what was there many years ago, and would be willing to do
fundraising. While a very costly measure, if people are interested, they should
put it in writing and send it to Svec at the town office.
C. Brook, Center
& Atkinson Road Intersection: Stop signs were placed at the intersection of
these roads in Cavendish over a year ago but were removed by vandals. Various people from the area spoke about how
the signs were not needed, created more problems then helped, tickets (costing
more than $200) were costly and requested that the Stop signs not be replaced.
Instead, they would like to see road names put up. These signs are at the Town
office but have not been put in place until the Stop sign issue could be
resolved. One member of the audience provided information on why the signs were
cut down, “the wrong person was ticketed.” The SB voted to put “yield” signs
at Atkinson and Center Roads along with the road names.
D. Purchase of 601
Main Street Agreement Subject to Town Vote
On May 5, a joint meeting of the Select and CTES boards agreed to work with
the owners of 601 Main Street, the house next to the school that burned in
January, to purchase the lot for the town/school. Since that meeting, the
property owners and the town have entered into a purchase and sales agreement
which includes seven conditions among them: the final sale is contingent on
approval by the town voters; the site is cleared of all debris and is restored
(soil added and seeded) to grade; property is free of any potential health
hazards; and the water and sewer are capped off. The cost is $24,900, the assessed
value listed by the town, which would add 1¢ per $100 to the taxes. A special
town meeting has been scheduled for Monday, June 23, 7 pm at the Cavendish
Elementary School in order for registered voters to decide whether the town
should purchase the vacant lot. The SB voted to send in the $500 deposit for
the property, recognizing that it will be refunded if the voters do not agree
to purchase the property.
E. Capital Budget and Program Plan for FY
2014-2031
The Select Board
agreed to the changes in the Capital Budget and Program Plan. This is a plan
for town utilities and facilities improvements, upgrades, replacements (e.g.
Water and sewer, solid waste, buildings etc.) and can serve as an important
companion piece for this section of the Cavendish Town Plan. Before final
adoption, it is subject to a public hearing, which has been scheduled for
Monday June 9, 6:30 pm at the Town Office.
F. Planning Commission’s Letter Regarding
Cavendish Gulf Road Stabilization Project: As a result of Irene, a retaining wall along the Gulf Rd-near the
overpass-has become destabilized. Engineers from VHB Engineering and Vtrans
have talked to the SB about the proposed repairs, which should take place this
summer. The Planning Commission sent a letter to the SB regarding the proposed stonewall
replacement, which would be a wall constructed from concrete blocks measuring 3
x 3 x 6. The Commission is concerned that this proposal does not fit with the
historic nature and aesthetics of the town. SB members discussed similar concerns
as raised by the Planning Commission and agreed to forward the their letter to
VTrans.
G. Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Race: The SB gave permission for the Vermont 100 Endurance Race to once again pass through Cavendish. The race is a
benefit for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and goes through the Brook Rd area.
H. Memorial Day Activities: Cavendish’s Memorial Day activities will
take place on May 30, Friday, 10 am at the Cavendish Elementary School in
Proctorsville. This year the parade is to the Hillcrest Cemetery in
Proctorsville, with a wreath being tossed from the Depot Street Bridge. FMI:
226-7292.
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Chester Fire Suspicious: On Monday, May 12, sirens sounded in Cavendish before 5
am. Proctorsville Fire Dept. responded with mutual aid to a house fire in
Chester, route 11 and Blue Hill Road, while Cavendish Fire Dept. provided back
up coverage for the town. The 1822 Field Farm house was destroyed in what is
now being called a suspicious fire. Traffic was diverted during the early
morning commute and GMUHS was on a 2- hour delay due to a power outage
resulting from the fire.
VT Sprint Customers in VT can now text 911: The VT Enhanced 911 board says Spring customers can now
use their mobile phones to send text messages to 911 for help, which is
especially important for those with speech or hearing impairments.
Legislation Passed by 2014 VT General Assembly: The 2014 general assembly of Vermont legislators ended on Saturday May
10. In addition to the passage of the GMO bill and the ban on the hand use of
cellphones while driving, a number of other items were passed including a 13%
tax increase on cigarettes and increased property of .98¢ per $100 of assed value for residents and
a non residential rate of $1.515 per $00 of assessed value.
4. FREE GRAVESTONE CLEANING WORKSHOP & VT MOVIE
The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) begins its
2014 summer season on May 24 (Saturday) by offering a free workshop on how to
clean gravestones. Whether you want to take care of your ancestors’ stones or
some of the earliest settlers of Cavendish, the workshop provides hands on
experience. We will be meeting at the Cavendish Cemetery on High Street in
Cavendish at 10 am. Registration is required by May 22 (Thursday). Please call
802-226-7807 or e-mail margoc@tds.net
On May 25 (Sunday), the CHS Museum opens at 2 pm
and will be showing Part 1 of “TheVermont Movie: Freedom and Unity. This is the first ever documentary series about
Vermont. The six-part film is a collaboration of three dozen critically
acclaimed Vermont filmmakers, led by award-winning filmmaker Nora Jacobson.
Part 1 deals with the founding of Vermont. Screening begins at 2 pm.
The CHS Museum, located on Main Street (Route
131) in Cavendish village, is open every Sunday from 2-4 pm until Oct. 12. For
the season schedule, go to the CHS Blog.
5. CAVENDISH TOWN-WIDE TAG SALE JULY 26
Planning to participate in the 4th
Annual Town Wide Tag Sale as a vendor and want your location on the map? Need
vendor space at one of the town greens? Please register by sending an e-mail to
margoc@tds.net or calling 802-226-7807.
6. FOR SALE
Southern
Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management has a brand new-in the box-
SoilSaver composter for sale for $50, which is half price. If interested,
contact Mary O’Brien mobrien@swcrpc.org or 802-674-9235
7. EVENTS
The following Cavendish related events will take
place in the coming week:
MAY 16
(Friday): Third Grade Play: At 10:45, in the multi-purpose room,
the 3rd graders at CTES will be performing their play for the
community. A free luncheon of ham grinders and salad follows the performance.
RSVP 226-7758
• Spring
Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms: Benefits Black River Good Neighbor 10-4
MAY 17
(Saturday): Author Carmen Tarleton Blandin at the Cavendish Library: 1 pm.
Blandin from Thetford and received a face transplant to repair the damage done
by her estranged husband. FMI: 226-7503
• Spring
Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms: Benefits Black River Good Neighbor 10-4
• Emergency Vehicle Driver Testing for
Proctorsville Fire Department: 8-2 in various locations in town-Mac
Molding Parking lot; Holy Name of Mary; Village Green. Please use caution if
you are in these areas.
MAY 18 (Sunday): Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms:
Benefits Black River Good Neighbor 10-2
• CCCA
Walk and Talk Event-Bird Walk: 8 am with Alma Beals of Ascutney
Audubon Society. Meet at Crow’s Bakery, 73 Depot Street, Proctorsville. FMI:
226-7007
MAY 19 (Monday): Yoga with Lydia Ouvaroff: 5 pm at Gethsemane Episcopal Parish Hall
off Depot Street in Proctorsville. Cost is a donation. FMI:
802-299-9515 (cell) or 228-3261.
MAY 20 (Tuesday): Public
Information Meeting Regarding Bridge 1 (Whitesville) Replacement This Summer:
6 pm in the Cavendish Town Office Meeting Room
• Bone Builders Bone
Builders meeting at the Cavendish Baptist Church each Tuesday and Thursday from
10 am to 11:30 am. Weighs are used to help build muscle and stave off
osteoporosis for both men and women. Exercises also focus on balance.
Call Charlotte Snyder at 226-7343 or Dot Ramsdell at 226-7870 or RSVP
office at 885-2083. RSVP is the sponsor of this activity.
MAY 22 (Thursday): Bone
Builders Bone Builders meeting at the Cavendish Baptist Church
each Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 11:30 am. Weighs are used to help
build muscle and stave off osteoporosis for both men and women. Exercises also
focus on balance. Call Charlotte Snyder at 226-7343 or Dot Ramsdell at
226-7870 or RSVP office at 885-2083. RSVP is the sponsor of this
activity.
MAY 23
(Friday): Opening of the Ludlow Farmers Market, featuring
a number of Cavendish vendors, 4-7 pm on the front lawn of Okemo Mountain
School, 53 Main Street in Ludlow. FMI: http://www.ludlowfarmersmarket.org
To learn more about upcoming events in Cavendish and surrounding towns go
to:
8. YES! I WANT TO BECOME A FRIEND OF THE
CAVENDISH UPDATE
Please complete the
form below and send a check, payable to Margo Caulfield, with Friend of the
Cavendish Update on the subject line, and mail to PO Box 3, Cavendish, VT
05142.
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