Cavendish Update 11/13/26: SB Mtg/Cav. Civics/News/Events
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LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS: Facebook Blue Sky or Website
HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!
CHS PROCTORSVILLE GHOST WALK: Sunday, 2 pm in front of the Proctorsville War Memorial
IGNAT SOLZHENITSYN TALK @ CAVENDISH LIBRARY: Wednesday Nov. 18 @ 6 pm. Click here for more information.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: TGR Movie Night; Fundraiser for the Cavendish Town Park. The world’s best skiers turn the mountain into a laboratory and every descent into an experiment, raising one question: Is it rocket science The fundraiser features a special film screening accompanied by a silent auction featuring a wide variety of donated goods. Nov. 28 6-9 pm at the Ludlow Town Hall. Purchase tickets by clicking here.
CAN YOU HELP? BRGNS EXPERIENCING THREE FOLD INCREASE IN FOOD PANTRY UTILIZATION:Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGNS) is in need for the following for the food pantry, that serves Cavendish: Regular size items please: Mayonnaise; Ketchup; Mustard; Soup; Baked Beans; Canned Vegetables; Canned Fruit; Coffee; Pasta; Pasta Sauce; Peanut Butter; Cereal; Canned Tuna; Shampoo; Soap (bars); Dish Detergent; Toothpaste
11/13/26
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting
2. Cavendish Civics 101: Town Decisions and Responsibilities
3. Cavendish Related News
4. Events Calendar
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 11/9/26: The video of the November Cavendish Select Board (SB) meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV Website. Unapproved minutes are posted to the Town’s website.
Approved
• Municipal Planning Grant for the Town Plan
• Execution of Greven Road Extension Deed
• Easement for buried electrical crossing town land at 406 Main St. pending approval of the Town’s Manager and Attorney
• Annual Town Road crossings of Cavendish VAST Trails for snowmobiles
• Cost sharing of Maintenance at the Cavendish Library pending final contract agreement. The Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) wanted the town to pay over $18,000 for maintenance, but after discussions with Rick Chambers, town manager, the cost has been lowered to slightly less than $3,000.
Discussed
• Long Term Recovery: Black River Valley Resources (BRVR), the long term recovery group for Cavendish, Ludlow, Mt. Holly and Plymouth, gave a brief update on activities including: the December launch of the Red Whistle project (Be Heard, Be Seen, Survive); food distribution from the Black River Good Neighbors Services (BRGNS) food shelf has tripled in the last month, with approximately half of that increase coming from Cavendish. In late October, FEMA launched a new tool that allows customers to purchase a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy directly through floodsmart.gov.
• River monitor Project: Dr. Charis Boke, a professor at Dartmouth and member of BRVR, updated the board about the SSTREAMnet project which is taking place in Cavendish, Ludlow and Woodstock. The long term vision is to have a way that anyone can look at an easy-to-find, easy-to-read, hyperlocal set of water level data – not just for emergency warnings, but also to improve long-term understanding about water level changes over time. This is especially important in towns like Cavendish and Ludlow where there are no USGS gages providing similar information. The newly developing, low cost gauges, created by Boke’s team, will be placed on the Winery Rd and Mill Street Bridges, providing good coverage for both villages. Currently there is a test gauge on the Depot Street Bridge in Ludlow. Community partners include Cavendish Connects, Black River Action Team (BRAT), BRGNS and Sustainable Woodstock. To learn more about this project, click here.
Manager’s Report: The town crew is doing spot grading as well as cleaning out ditches using a blower. Don’t pitch in the ditch! That includes leaves, which can cause blockages. The MERP Implementation grant work schedule- for the Cavendish wastewater plant and town office-is currently being planned. The town has until Dec. 2027 to complete the projects, with outside work being done in the spring.
2. CAVENDISH CIVICS 101: Town Decisions and Responsibilities Cavendish operates in a typical New England system, where the power rests with the voters and the Select Board (SB). The SB consists of five members who are elected, serving terms of one, two or three years. They are the executive and administrative board for the town. Meetings are conducted via Vermont’s Open Meeting Law and are in person with a zoom option. Meetings take place the second Monday of every month, with additional ones as needed. Agendas are warned and posted to the town website and bulletin board. Minutes are available at the town’s website.
Town Employees are responsible as follows:
Town Manager: Questions about town operations and departments, building and development, highways, municipal water and sewer utilities, personnel, purchasing or other subjects may be directed to the manager. Note that this position is appointed by the SB. The town manager reports to the SB, who can advise on various issues, but it’s the SB who will make final decisions, unless they assign it to the voters.
Town Clerk: This person is in charge of the Town records. Land record searches, the filing of deeds, vital statistics and other documents to be recorded with the Town all fall within their purview. In addition to the "standard" clerk duties, the Town Clerk also can help with Vermont DMV vehicle renewals. This position is elected by the voters.
Learn more about the Cavendish Town Office at the Town’s website and for more Cavendish Civics 101, click here.
3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Respiratory Illness Weekly Report: The health department’s Respiratory Illness Activity in Vermont report for 11/1/26-11/7/26 indicates Flu and Covid are at a moderate level statewide with RSV listed as low. Unfortunately, data from Ludlow wastewater has not been reported since July.
• Cavendish Planning Commission Meeting: A video of the Nov. 4 monthly meeting is now available at the Okemo Valley TV website and unapproved minutes are at the town website. Among the items discussed were the results of the community survey, which had 252 respondents, five of which were submitted by paper. This represents approximately 24% of Cavendish Census data for those 18 and up. The majority of respondents were 65+ and stressed topics such as keeping property taxes affordable, supporting local businesses, protecting rural character etc. Other items discussed included sub division regs and the town plan.
• Green Mountain Fireside opens Fireside Market in Proctorsville: A new gift shop and marketplace has opened along Route 103 in Proctorsville, bringing together Vermont-made products, specialty foods, and locally sourced gifts under one roof. VT Journal
• Explainer: Education cuts needed to stay under penalty threshold in FY 28State tightens spending through 2032: Chester Telegraph
• Ski and Snowboard Swap: The annual Okemo Mountain School (OMS) ski swap takes place Nov. 20-22 at the Round House at Jackson Gore. This is the place to gear up for the winter with new and used gear at great prices. You will find everything you need to get out on the hill this season….skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, helmets, goggles, outerwear, and more! See Events Section for times as they vary by day.
• Turkey Trot: Ludlow’s Annual 5 K Turkey Trot is on Thanksgiving at 9 am, registration starts at 8:30, at Dorsey Park. Runners, Walkers, strollers and dogs are all welcome. Cash donations, canned food and toys will be accepted for BRGNS. Prizes for winners. FMI: 802-245-4944.
• Jerry Tucker, Sr: It is with sadness that we report the passing of Jerry Tucker, Sr, of Ludlow, who provided a safe space for community youth via skateboarding, the teen center (Rampage) and mentoring.
• Losing ground: Vermont’s struggle against river erosion: River erosion causes the vast majority of the state’s flood damage. The problem is getting worse. And many Vermonters remain in harm’s way. VT Digger
• Vermont to raise minimum wage by 49 cents in January VT Digger
• Home heating oil prices about $2.50 higher than last year, EIA says: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, home heating oil prices are just over $6 a gallon. Prices have dropped slightly in recent weeks. Matt Cota of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association said that could be due to a lull in the Iran war. WCAX
4. EVENTS
NOVEMBER -DECEMBER 5: Solzhenitsyn in Vermont Exhibit, Cavendish Library, 753 Main Street, Proctorsville. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am-6 pm. FMI, or to arrange other times, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
NOVEMBER 15 (SUNDAY): CHS Proctorsville Ghost Walk, 2 pm. Meet at the Proctorsville War Memorial across from the Green. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807
NOVEMBER 18 (WEDNESDAY): Book Talk-Love the Revolution with Ignat Solzhenitsyn, 6 pm at the Cavendish Community Library FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807
NOVEMBER 20 (FRIDAY): Turkey Bingo at CTES, 6 pm, $1 per card, 10 rounds
- Ski Swap: 4-7 pm at the Round House Jackson Gore
NOVEMBER 21 (SATURDAY): Ski Swap, Round House Jackson Gore 9-5
NOVEMBER 22 (SUNDAY): Ski Swap, Round House Jackson Gore 9-1
NOVEMBER 26 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING
- The 2026 Chester Community Thanksgiving Meal, which is open to all, is at the Pizza Stone Restaurant, 291 Pleasant Street, Chester. Seating begins at 12:30 pm and meal at 1 Pm.
NOVEMBER 27 (FRIDAY): Town office closed
- Black River Good Neighbor Services Holiday Gift Program applications deadline. Stop by the thrift store 37 B Main Street or go to the BRGN.org website and file an application
NOVEMBER 28 (SATURDAY): 6-9 PM, TGR Movie Night; Fundraiser for the Cavendish Town Park. The world’s best skiers turn the mountain into a laboratory and every descent into an experiment, raising one question: Is it rocket science The fundraiser features a special film screening accompanied by a silent auction featuring a wide variety of donated goods. Ludlow Town Hall Register by clicking here.
