Cavendish Update 9/18, 2026: SB Mtg/Hearings/News/Events
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LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS: Facebook Blue Sky or Website
SUNDAY: WALK & TALK: History & health of the Black River, what’s being done to help mitigate flooding, a site visit to Greven field in Proctorsville (weather permitting) and a medicinal plant walk with herbalist and medical anthropologist, Dr. Charis Boke. Meet at the CHS Museum, 1958 Main St., (Route 131) at 2 pm to carpool to Greven Field. This event is free, open to the public and takes place rain or shine. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
REMINDER: Please note that ATV riding on public roads in the Town of Cavendish is not permitted at this time. The Selectboard is currently exploring creating an ATV use ordinance (see item 1 below). This process will take some time, and no decisions have been made yet. In the meantime, the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department, our contracted law enforcement, will continue to monitor ATV activity to ensure current regulations are followed. We truly appreciate everyone’s cooperation and as we navigate this conversation together. Cavendish thrives because of engaged, respectful neighbors like you—thank you for helping keep our town safe, vibrant, and welcoming for all. Rick Chambers, Town Manager, Cavendish VT 802-226-7291
9/18/26
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 9/14/26
2. Notice of public hearing before the Planning Commission
3. Notice of public hearing before the DRB 10/7/26
4. Storm Water Awareness Week
5. Cavendish Related News
6. Events Calendar
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 9/14/26: The video of the September Cavendish Select Board (SB) meeting will be available at the Okemo Valley TV Website, which is currently under construction. Unapproved minutes are posted to the Town’s website.
ATVs on Town Roads: With standing room only, and taking up the majority of the meeting, there were strong feelings for and against a proposed ordinance that would allow ATVs on town roads so riders can access the trails in Reading.
This is a follow up to the May SB meeting, where the board asked for a map, similar to what VAST-snowmobile trail- presents every fall, which shows the town roads to be crossed in the upcoming four month season. At that meeting, it was noted that when the snowmobilers started out it was pretty chaotic, with a lot of complaints, but the development of the VAST trail system (which is primarily on private property) has worked out well. Could a similar system be developed for ATVs?
The President of the Reading All-Terrain Sportsmen Club (RATS), Jeff Gilcris, explained at Monday night’s meeting, that while they had forwarded recommended roads, such as Twenty Mile Stream, Town Farm, Heald, Atkinson, East, Brook and all class 4 roads, it really should be that all town roads are open to legal ATVs. Their objective is to be able to ride from their Cavendish home to the Reading trails.
A property owner pointed out that what this would do is basically expand the Reading trail system to Cavendish town roads, opening them to all ATV riders regardless of where they live.
In essence, unlike the VAST trail, where permission is granted to cross town roads to get from one trail to the next, the town roads themselves become the route people would take to get to Reading’s trails.
Those against the ordinance described not only the noise factor, but lack of enforcement. Two neighbors on Atkinson Rd. described how they’ve experienced gun shots by their home, believing it’s because of their anti-ordinance stance.
Jim Zimmer read aloud a letter from his doctor from the Veteran’s Center, explaining how the noise of the ATVs is triggering his PTSD, which was a result of serving in Vietnam. A petition has been circulated opposing the ordinance and currently has approximately 50 or more signatures.
A member of the audience stated there is one ATV rider that is causing all the problems. People have tried to talk to this person but to no avail. Those who are in favor of the ordinance said that with it in place, more would be done with enforcement, including game wardens (there are only 40 in the entire state), sheriff (Cavendish pays for a sheriff 16 hours per week) and state police (currently there is a shortage), as well as club members who have a vested interest in the sport. They didn’t think it fair that one bad apple should ruin it for everyone else.
Zimmer did note that there are very respectful ATV users that ride by his home on their way to work. He didn’t want to see them penalized. However, it’s not possible to pick and choose riders who can ride on the town roads, should the ordinance past. Unlike the VAST trails for snowmobilers, which goes on private land and only crosses town roads to get to a connecting trail, a homeowner can withdraw their property from VAST if it’s being misused. When it comes to ATVs, those that live on town roads would not have that option.
People in various parts of town, including Twenty Mile Stream, Densmore, East Road, Brook, Atkinson, and even 131 have complained about ATV riders-indicating it’s a lot more than just one person. There is also a concern about unintentionally hitting someone on an ATV, since there are plenty of blind spots on various town roads and drivers aren’t expecting them to be there.
Various people said that the town roads in Plymouth and Reading were available for ATV use, which turns out not to be quite accurate. According to Reading’s ATV Policy, there is limited use of town roads. At the end of Monday’s meeting, SB member Mike Ripley, provided information he had just obtained from Angela Kessel, Plymouth’s town clerk. She said that while she’s not received complaints from residents about ATVs, they are off limits on any town lined road.
The next steps include the town formatting an ordinance. Rick Chambers, town manager, said it would be at least four months before anything was decided and it is likely the SB will consider having the voters make the final decision.
Before preparing an ordinance, the SB may best serve the community by taking the advice of Tommy O’Connor the past executive director of VASA, who commented the following in the 2025 article Vermont towns weigh ATV use on public roads at town meeting, Tommy O’Connor..., says towns and voters should think hard about whether they have the resources to support ATV use in their community, including providing proper signage and enforcement. “Do you have the budget to maintain the roads?” O’Connor said. “Because just like other motor vehicles, you know, any type of traffic is going to … show wear and tear on the roads, particularly dirt, class IV, things like that.” VASA doesn’t advise that towns open all their roads to ATV use. O’Connor recommends that select boards commission studies of where people are riding and where the community supports the activity before writing an ordinance.
Finally, since most VASA trails are on private land, similar to the VAST trails can the ATV riders begin identifying ways to develop a system, that would provide off road local riding options?
Approved
• $2,000 of community funds for A MidSummer’s Night Salsa
• Cemetery Lot Buy Back
• Six changes to the 2026 Grand List Errors & Omissions
• Lowest Bid for Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP), pending Chambers final review of the bid. This approximately $300,000 grant allows significant upgrades to the town office and water treatment plant. Work will take place for about 12 days in October and will cause interruptions.
• Changing the date of the October SB meeting to Oct. 19, due to the legal holiday on the second Monday of the month.
Discussed
• Playground: An account has been created by the town for the Cavendish Village Green playground project. Donations can be made to the town of Cavendish for the Playground Improvement Fund. Cash can be dropped at the Town Office. Contact cavendishtownpark@gmail.com for electronic or tax deductible donations or to become involved in this project.
• Greven Field: Steve Laskivetch provided a free mowing of Greven Field. Chambers said he now realizes how uneven it is there and the town’s mowing equipment can’t do the job. Changes are needed in order to create the desired flood plain.
• Paving: The paving of High St, Pleasant St. and Ranny Hill is now underway. Milling begins next week. Avoid the area if possible.
2. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION: A public hearing before the Planning Commission for the town of Cavendish will be held at the Cavendish Town Hall on October 7th 2026 at 6:30 PM. to consider a conditional use application regarding the proposed improvements at 866 Main Street (appellant Stephanie Sheehan). A site visit to the property will be on October 7, 2026 at the above address at 4:00 PM.
Reason For Hearing: Proposed improvements are within the River Corridor as defined in the Cavendish Flood Hazard Regulations which require a Conditional Use Hearing with the Cavendish Planning Commission. The above application is available for inspection at the Cavendish Municipal Offices. Persons wishing to participate may do so in person, be represented by an agent or an attorney, by Zoom, or by writing to the Planning Commission. Written communications about the application should be filed with the Cavendish Planning Commission PO Box 126 Cavendish VT 05412 either prior to, or during, the hearing. Hybrid meeting information will be available on the agenda. Tim Calabrese, Chair, Cavendish Planning Commission 9/11/2026
3. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE DRB 10/7/26: A public hearing before the Cavendish Development Review Board (DRB)will be held at the Cavendish Town Hall On October 7th 2026 at 6:00 PM to consider a 4 lot subdivision application. Applicant is Jeffery Sterns, Power Plant Road, Cavendish.
Reason For Hearing: The subdivision is considered a major application which requires a public hearing as per the Cavendish Subdivision Bylaws. The above application is available for inspection at the Cavendish Municipal Offices. Persons wishing to participate may do so in person, be represented by an agent or an attorney, by Zoom, or by writing to the Cavendish DRB. Written communications about the application should be filed with the Cavendish DRB PO Box 126 Cavendish VT 05412 either prior to, or during, the hearing. Hybrid meeting information will be available on the agenda. Tim Calabrese, For the Cavendish DRB 9/10/2026
4. STORM WATER AWARENESS WEEK: National Flood Awareness Week is Sept. 20-26. The goal of this week is to help the community understand where water goes and how to keep rainfall and snowmelt on and in the landscape by helping it “slow, spread and soak.” This coming week’s events and focus will be as follows:
20: Black River Walk & Talk: Meet 2pm at the CHS Museum (1958 Route 131, Cavendish) to carpool to Greven Field. This program includes a site visit to Greven field and a medicinal plant walk with Dr. Charis Boke. Free, open to the public and takes place rain or shine. FMI: 802-226-7807 margocaulfield@icloud.com
21: Floodplains are our friends - where rivers naturally spread out and slow down. Large or small, floodplains are 'pressure relief valves' for flowing water, allow it to spend some energy and reduce the damage caused by too much volume and velocity in a stream channel. Work with your town to learn where flood buyouts have occurred and any place where a rising river or a stream can safely access an area with no infrastructure.
22. Native plants are our partners - plan your yard and garden NOW, for spring! Every leaf breaks up the power of a falling raindrop; every stem and trunk slows fast-moving water and captures soil, sand, and silt on the land where it will do the most good.
23. Rethink Runoff - help keep excess water out of our drains, ditches, culverts, and waterways! Plant a rain garden, install a rain barrel, reduce your salt usage, pick up dog poo, don't dump any waste in the road or down a drain, don't "P" on your lawn, etc.
24. Don't Pitch in the Ditch - keep leaves, branches, snow, and ice out of the street and ditches, to keep culverts from clogging.
25: BRGNS Annual Rummage Sale @ Fletcher Farm. 10-4 Black River Valley Resources (BRVR) will be distributing Free Go Bags & Preparedness information
26: 1st Annual CULVERT CARE DAY 10-Noon Fletcher Farm Fields Proclamations by representatives from Cavendish & Ludlow. Learn how to protect culverts, ditches in & around your property. Bring your smartphone to check out the online culvert tool. Site visit a local property to see culvert tools in action. Wear comfortable shoes & bring water.
For more information, e-mail blackrivercleanup@gmail.com
5. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Hundreds of layoffs announced at the 2 largest healthcare networks Vermonters rely on: Dartmouth Health is cutting over 420 positions while University of Vermont Health lays off 199 staff. Across the Connecticut River, 124 Dartmouth Health employees learned that their positions are being terminated, according to a release Tuesday from the New Hampshire-based hospital network. The network canceled an additional 303 open positions at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and at its clinics in the region. Vermonters rely heavily on care from Dartmouth Health, which includes the medical center, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington and six other New Hampshire hospitals. About 40% of Dartmouth Hitchcock’s patients are Vermonters. VT Digger
• VT 2026 General Election Guide: Find candidates on the ballot, explore federal, statewide and county races, learn how to vote and access trusted election resources for Vermont’s general election on Nov. 3, 2026. VT Digger
6. EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 19 (SATURDAY): Free Stop the Bleed training at the Cavendish Fire Dept. 10-Noon. This training is free for Cavendish residents. To register contact Chief Nareau at 802-226-7790, puba0111@mail.com or stop by the station.
SEPTEMBER 20-26 (SUNDAY-SATURDAY): STORM WATER AWARENESS WEEK
SEPTEMBER 20 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), Black River Action Team (BRAT) and Dr. Charis Boke of Dartmouth program on the Black River including its history, flood plains and a medicinal plant walk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm to car pool to Greven Field. In the event of rain, the full program will be held at the Museum.
SEPTEMBER 26 (SATURDAY): CULVERT CARE DAY
SEPTEMBER 27 (SUNDAY): 10 am. The Singing Men of Texas-West in concert at the Cavendish Baptist Church, 2258 Main St. Cavendish.
SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY)- 26 (SATURDAY): Annual BRGN Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms.
OCTOBER 3 (SATURDAY): 9 am Tracking and the Art of Seeing, Proctor Piper Trail. Join wildlife tracker Rose Richter for a guided walk and learn to read the hidden signs of nature-track, scat and more. This is part of the CCCA’s Walk and Track series.
OCTOBER 7 (WEDNESDAY): 6 pm at the Cavendish Library, “Who Lives Behind Younr House?” Taking pictures with a trail camera with Tim O’Donoghue. Sponsored by CCCA.
OCTOBER 11 (SUNDAY): Last day the Cavendish Historical Society Museum is open for the season. 2-4 pm. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com 802-226-7807
OCTOBER 12 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Legal Holiday. Town Office closed
OCTOBER 21 (WEDNESDAY): 6 pm Cavendish Library, Understanding What is Most Ecologically Important in Cavendish with Jens Hilke, Conservation Planning Biologist Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept. Learn to explore your parcel with Vermont Biofinder. Sponsered by CCCA
OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Cavendish Historical Society’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) workshop at the Cavendish Library 10-noon. FMI: 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com
• Weathersfield Trunk or Treat 3:30-5:00 at Hoisington Field in Perkinsville, the site of the 18799 Schoolhouse.
NOVEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): VOTE. General Election. Polls are open 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.
NOVERMBER 11 (WEDNESDAY): Veteran’s Day Town Office closed
NOVEMBER 26 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING
NOVEMBER 27 (FRIDAY): Town office closed
