Cavendish Update 9/12/25: SB Mtg/News/Events
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LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS: Facebook Blue Sky or Website
HONEY FEST 2025: Tomorrow 10-4 on the Proctorsville Green. ToGather (SuperRoasted, 73 Depot St.) will be starting things off from 7-noonish with coffee, breakfast burritos and more. From 3-7ish they’ll be serving the Honey Apple Pizza so many people have enjoyed over the years at Honey Fest. The Cavendish Historical Society will have one last “taste of history” this season, a honey sponge candy. About 30 or so vendors will be on the Proctorsville Green including Wildflour Bakery, Russ Hurlburt Photography, Brave Little Bees LLC, Cuppity Kakes, Mason House Pottery (Cavendish resident) and Riverside Woodsmiths. We’ve had a sneak taste of Maren’s amazing macaroons. Hope to see you there.
ANNUAL PHINEAS GAGE WALK & TALK: Sunday, 2pm starting with the talk at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Free and open to the public and takes place rain or shine.
NOTICE OF HYDRANT FLUSHING: SEPT 15TH-17TH 8 am-5 pm System users are reminded that: Flushing hydrants may cause temporary discoloration and turbidity of the water. We apologize for any inconvenience to our users, however this very important system maintenance procedure must be conducted each spring and fall. The flushing program allows the pipes to be purged and the hydrants checked for proper operation. Users are advised to avoid drinking the water or washing clothes (especially whites) while discoloration is in evidence. Following hydrant flushing in your area, users should run cold water until it clears before resuming normal use. It is also a good idea to flush residential water heaters after the water clears following a hydrant flush in your area. FMI: 802-226-7291
VERMONT JOURNAL PRINT EDITION NO LONGER DELIVERED TO PO BOXES: Print copies are available at Singleton’s and some may be at the post office.
9/12/25
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 9/8/25
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Events Calendar
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 9/8/25: A video of Monday night’s Select Board (SB) meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV website and the unapproved minutes are at the town website.
APPROVED
• Resident Tax exemption for a new Cavendish resident
• Changes to the Grand List for three Green Mountain Corp parcels and one for Vermont Transco LLC
• Use of the Proctorsville Green for Honey Festival
• Landowners adjacent to the Proctorsville Canal can move forward in protecting their land from beavers, recognizing that they will need state permitting as this is a protected wet land.
• Changed date for the Oct. SB meeting to Oct. 20. Prior to the 6:30 pm meeting, there will be a 6 pm a public hearing on the Town of Cavendish Capital Budget and Program FY 2027-2032. A copy of the plan is available at the town website.
• Increase the amount of funds for the purchase of hydraulic equipment from the budgeted $10,000 to $14,437.
Discussion/Findings
• Chubb Hill Work: Next week work on Chubb Hill Rd will cause a road closure during the day. The road will be open in the evenings and at night. We will be posting information on the Cavendish Facebook page with specifics as they become available.
• Act 181 Update: Jason Rasmussen of Mt Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) explained that this act creates temporary exemptions from certain Act 250 requirements and provides funding to support development in targeted communities, helping to address Vermont's housing challenges. Because Cavendish does not have zoning, the town is not eligible for the exemptions. The town’s Regional Plan needs to be updated, which includes maps of village areas and surrounding neighborhoods. In the next month or so, MARC will be looking for public input on the maps being developed for Cavendish.
• Signage back roads: A number of posts and signs have started appearing on Cavendish backroads. Rick Chambers, town manager, explained that this was a state project under High Risk Rural Roads. He and members of the audience had concerns about the signs being a hazard and being knocked down by snowplows and the road grader. The Town had no input on this project and received minimal information.
• Upcoming Events: Trevor Barlow and others spoke to the board about upcoming events in Cavendish as follows: Sept. 13: Honey Fest (Proctorsville Green, 10-4); Oct. 18 (Saturday) The 20 Mile MOG (Mid October Gravel) Ride, starts at the Big Red Barn on the corner of Chapman and Twenty Mile Stream; Nov 1 (Saturday) Dia de los Muertos at ToGather (home of SuperRoasted); Dec. 12-13 (Friday-Saturday) Ullr Fest
• Purchasing Policy and Conflict of Interest Policy: In order to receive funds from FEMA, Chambers said some amendments needed to be made to the town’s existing policies. These changes need to be formally adopted, which will require a public hearing.
• FEMA: Cavendish has received full funding from FEMA stemming from the July 2023 flood, plus some funds for mitigation. The town is responsible for the interest accrued from borrowing funds to repair the roads after the flooding.
• Vacant Tree Warden Position: Tim Calabrese has resigned from this position. Anyone interested in being the Tree Warden should contact the town office 802-226-7291.
• Hydrant Flushing: Annual fall flushing will take place Sept. 15-17th. (See notice above)
2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Knapp Pond Cyanobacteria Alert: On Sept. 2, a “low alert” was issued by the VT Department of Health for Knapp Pond 2 Access Area for Cyanobacteria. The current map as of Sept. 11 lists the pond as “Generally Safe.”
• Honeyfest 2025: VT Journal
• Child of the Wild: Join the Cavendish Library in welcoming back Vermont artist and author, Jonathon Otto for another evening of poetry and fun! Jonathon will be sharing his new book, “Child of the Wild 2,” and engaging with us around poetry and his art on Sept. 30 (Tuesday) 6 pm at the Library, 573 Main Street, Proctorsville. Perhaps another community written poem could be in store? This program is free and open to all members of the public.
• Hackers are after your water. How this town defends against them. Features how Cavendish is protecting its water system. NPR
• First case of mosquito-borne virus found in Windsor County resident: On
Monday, Sept. 8, Vermont health officials have confirmed the first case of Jamestown Canyon virus in a person in Vermont. Through laboratory testing and reporting by their health care provider, that person has been identified as a resident of Windsor County. Chester Telegraph
• Scam Alert: According to the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page, We are learning of a sophisticated scam where dirt bags are calling posing as WCSD personnel . Please don’t give any money over the phone.
• As feds tighten Covid vaccine rules, Vermont works to maintain access: Pharmacies can provide boosters to individuals who qualify, but the state is awaiting a looming CDC recommendation to better understand what government insurance can cover. VT Digger
• Backed by Phish frontman, new recovery scholarship fund aims to help women: The Vermont-formed band’s Trey Anastasio and his Divided Sky Foundation are raising money to support women dealing with substance use disorder at his nonprofit retreat center in Ludlow. VT Digger
3. EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 13 (SATURDAY): HONEYFEST 10-4 Proctorsville Green
SEPTEMBER 14 (SUNDAY): Annual Phineas Gage Walk and Talk. Meet at the CHS Museum, 2 PM. Wear comfortable walking shoes. This event takes place rain or shine. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
SEPTEMBER 15 (MONDAY)-SEPTEMBER 17 (WEDNESDAY): 8 am-5 pm. Cavendish Hydrant flushing.
SEPTEMBER 19-20 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGNS Gigantic Fall Rummage Sale, 10-3 at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South. Proceeds food, rent, heat, utility and disaster assistance to our neighbors in need. BRGNS serves Cavendish, Ludlow, Mt. Holly and Plymouth. You can pick up a free “Go Kit” at this event
SEPTEMBER 28 (SUNDAY): 2PM at the Cavendish Historical Society Museum. Dr. Charis Boke will be speaking about the history of air pollution, miasma and herbal support for lungs. Dr. Boke, is a research scientist at Dartmouth, with a specialty in Medical and /Environmental anthropology, and a focus on herbalism and alternative medicine. FMI 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
OCTOBER 11 (SATURDAY): Tea Blending workshop with Dr. Charis Boke. This will be held at 2 pm at Togather (Super Roasted Coffee) 73 Depot Street, Proctorsville. Please register by calling 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
OCTOBER 12 (SUNDAY): Last day the CHS Museum is open for the season
OCTOBER 13 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day, Town Office Closed
OCTOBER 18 (SATURDAY) The 20 Mile MOG (Mid October Gravel) Ride, starts at the Big Red Barn on the corner of Chapman and Twenty Mile Stream
OCTOBER 31 (FRIDAY): Happy Halloween
NOVEMBER 1 (SATURDAY): Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) workshop 3-5 at ToGather (home of SuperRoasted, 73 Depot St, Proctorsville. Sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society. Free and open to the public.
NOVEMBER 9 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society’s Proctorsville Ghost Walk. Meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial at 2 pm. Wear comfortable walking shoes. This walk includes the Proctor Cemetery. We will be giving away free Cemetery Guides. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com