Welcome to "The Dish", the blog of Cavendish Connects, a community web site for the town of Cavendish, Vermont.
The Dish features a round-up of local happenings and events in Cavendish, Vermont.
Have something noteworthy to share? Contact us at cavendishconnects@gmail.com; we would love to hear from you.
Cavendish Town Elementary School is in desperate need of ON MOUNTAIN volunteers for their ski program on Tuesday afternoons. You need to be at Okemo by noon ready to go, and work with students until 3:30. In exchange, you will receive a full day lift ticket to use Sundays-Fridays or $40 ticket for a Saturday ticket for each week you volunteer. The program is 8 Tuesdays long. Contact Jarrod Harper. 802-770-2892 or jcharper@gmail.com
During the holidays Americans generate about 25% more trash than normal. That turns out to be an estimated 1,000 pounds of waste per household. With 80% of items having the potential to be recycled, below is a list of how you can dispose of your holiday items and keep them out of Vermont’s landfill.
Note: The Cavendish Transfer Station will be open on Christmas from 10-2.
CHRISTMAS TREES Cavendish Transfer Station is chipping Christmas trees for mulch. DO NOT PUT IN THE BURN PILE. Put by the chipping station or ask the attendant where to place it. Compost if you aren’t planning on taking it to the transfer station.
WREATHS AND CHRISTMAS GREENS: Remove all decorations. Real fir and pine branches can be run through the chipper or composted. Fake greens should be stored along with Christmas ornaments.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, CDs, DVDs, InkJet Cartridges: The CD Recycling Center of America, the closest one to Cavendish is at 68E Stiles Rd., Salem, NH 03079, will recycle CD, DVD Discs and packaging, Inkjet cartridges, cell phones, small electronics, mp3 players, chargers, Floppy disks, computer cables, printer cables, extension cords, and Christmas lights for free.
RIBBONS GIFT BAGS and BOWS: Save for “re-gifting” as they are not recyclable.
WRAPPING PAPER, CARDS: Non-metallic wrapping and tissue paper go in Zero Sort. Cardboard boxes are recyclable. Please see the Zero Sort list below under “Other Resources” for more information on what can be recycled for free at the Cavendish Transfer Station.
PACKAGING: The Transfer Station does accept clean, bagged Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap. Please make sure that the materials are in sealed bags or boxes so that the wind doesn't catch and send them flying around the Transfer Station. Residents who are shipping items reuse the packing materials. Air pouches/pillows can be deflated and recycled along with plastic shopping bags at the grocery store.
CLOTHING The Cavendish Transfer Station’s Fiber Barn has suspended operations while a search for a new fiber recycler is underway. To recycle clothes, shoes and other items, consider the following:
• Area thrift stores: Black River Good Neighbor, Chester-Andover Family Center, SEVCA
• Planet Aid Boxes: Bins are located in Chester, Springfield and Claremont. Check Find a Bin for most convenient location.
• Give Back Box Program: Goodwill and Amazon have teamed up for the Give Back Box program. After removing items from the Amazon box, a user fills it with clothes, accessories and other items you want to donate and then visits GiveBackBox.com to print a free shipping label. The box can be dropped off at the post office or UPS or picked up. Donations go to the closest Goodwill participating in the Give Back Box program.
• Repurpose: Can’t bear to part with various clothing items? Repurpose them into other practical uses, such as shopping tote, rag rug, sweater mittens, pillows and more. Check out the following links for more ideas: 11 Innovative Ways to Repurpose Old Clothes or DIY Upcycling Clothing
BATTERIES/ELECTRONICS/LIGHT BULBS: Recycle at the Transfer Station in the appropriate bins
OTHER STUFF: Goodwill Industries opened in February in Rutland. Goodwill reuses, repurposes and recycles clothing, household goods, computers, small appliances and others materials. You can donate items at 230 North Main Street daily 8-4 in Rutland. Unlike other thrift stores, Goodwill has a workforce development and job-training component. Their philosophy is “a hand up, not a hand out.”
UNWANTED PRESENTS: You can always re gift or set aside for the Cavendish Annual Town Wide Tag Sale in July.
MORE RESOURCES
Zero Waste Holiday Season Tips
Cavendish Transfer Station Website
Cavendish Zero Sort free recycling for the following items:
• Glass food and drink bottles (rinsed clean)
• Tins cans and steel containers (emptied of food and rinsed clean – labels
OK)
• Aluminum cans (rinsed clean, labels OK)
• Aluminum foil (including clean foil pie plates and foil baking dishes)
• Clean and dry paper goods:
• Paper, paper bags, paper file folders, manila envelopes, art construction paper, Kraft paper and cards
• Non-metallic wrapping paper and tissue paper
• cardboard boxes (not waxed or with stuck-on food or grease)
• Paper egg cartons, soda and beer cartons
• Corrugated cardboard
• Boxboard or paperboard (ex., cereal, cracker boxes, shoe boxes, gift boxes, etc.)
• Empty paper envelops
• Magazines, glossy brochures and catalogs (without plastic wrapping)
• Paperback books
• Phone books
• Newspapers - inserts OK - loose, not tied into bundles and not contaminated with oil, pet waste, paint, etc.
• Shredded paper (place in clear plastic bags and tie shut)
• Cardboard rollers (toilet paper, paper towel, and gift paper rollers, etc.)
• clean and empty plastic as follows:
- all types of rigid plastic
- plastics 1-7 (but NOT Styrofoam)
- plastic bottles, jugs, cups and containers
- plastic pails
- plastic flower pots and planting trays
- plastic frozen food trays (at least 2" long on 2 sides)
- plastic take-out containers (clean)
Greven Field Ice Skating Rink is now open.
IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.
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12/23/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Recycling Clothes and Shoes in Cavendish
3. Job Opening
4. Events
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Greven Ice Rink is Open: The ice rink at Greven Field is now open. The rink is lit-perfect for a nighttime skate. There are loaner skates and sticks available. Please use caution regarding weather and ice conditions.
Retirement/Promotions at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.: Serving PFD for 34 years, First Deputy Chief Roger Sheehan is retiring and his last day is Dec. 31. Sheehan also serves as the town’s fire marshal, a position he will retain. Thank you Roger for a job well done. With the second in command leaving, First Captain Robert “Bobbie” Glidden Jr, will now be the first deputy chief. Glidden follows a long tradition of firefighters with a great grandfather, grandfather and now father, Robert Glidden Sr., serving as Chief. Replacing Glidden will be First Lt. Seth Perry. Second Lt Nate Rose will become the new first lieutenant. Congratulations to Bobbie, Seth and Nate on their promotions.
Phone Scam -BCBS VT: There have been numerous reports of a phone scam, claiming to be from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, which shows up on caller ID devices as “Margarita Man.” The automated 'robocalls' aim to enroll people in a new "pain management program" and claim the company has "partnered with Blue Cross-Blue Shield. This is not a legitimate call, but rather an attempt to obtain personal information. DO NOT give out any information over the phone to anyone you don't know. If you receive such a call, immediately hang up and contact the Vermont Attorney General's Office consumer assistance program at 802-656-3183 or the Department of Financial Regulation at 802-828-3301.
2. RECYCLING CLOTHES AND SHOES IN CAVENDISH: The Cavendish Transfer Station’s Fiber Barn has suspended operations while a search for a new fiber recycler is underway. To recycle clothes, shoes and other items, consider the following:
• Area thrift stores: Black River Good Neighbor, Chester-Andover Family Center SEVCA
• Planet Aid Boxes: Bins are located in Chester, Springfield and Claremont. Check Find a Bin for most convenient location.
• Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern VT (230 N. Main Street, Rutland VT
• Give Back Box Program: Goodwill and Amazon have teamed up for the Give Back Box program. After removing items from the Amazon box, a user fills it with clothes, accessories and other items you want to donate and then visits GiveBackBox.com to print a free shipping label. The box can be dropped off at the post office or UPS or picked up. Donations go to the closest Goodwill participating in the Give Back Box program.
• Repurpose: Can’t bear to part with various clothing items? Repurpose them into other practical uses, such as shopping tote, rag rug, sweater mittens, pillows and more. Check out the following links for more ideas: or DIY Upcycling Clothing
3. JOB OPENING: The Golden Stage Inn is looking for weekend morning/daytime help (with likely extra shifts during school vacation weeks and summertime). We need honesty, reliability, and the ability to work hard. The job is primarily housekeeping with some kitchen assistance in there too. This can be seasonal or year round; we can work that out with the employee. Starting pay is $11/hour. Anyone interested should call me at (802) 226-7744.
4. EVENTS
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES (Dec. 24, Saturday)
• Candlelight Service at Okemo: 8:00pm. Located in the Jackson Gore Round House, Jackson Gore Road in Ludlow, VT. Celebrate Christmas with Okemo with a candlelight service led by Cavendish Baptist Church Pastor Abraham Gross. All are welcome to this sharing of the Christmas story and traditional Christmas caroling.
• Cavendish Baptist Church: 6 pm: Short Bible readings of the Christmas story along with traditional Christmas carols. Candle lighting
• St. James United Methodist Church: Christmas Eve Service Saturday, Dec. 24 at 6 pm
• Gethsemane Episcopal Church: Carol, lessons and holy Eucharist Saturday, Dec. 24 at 4 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE (Dec. 25. Sunday)
• Cavendish Baptist Church: 10:00am. 2258 Main Street in Cavendish. A traditional Sunday worship service celebrating Jesus as the center of this season and all seasons of our lives. FMI: (802) 226-7131 or visit CavendishBaptist.com
• Calvary Church (Route 103): 11 am, one-hour service.
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.
12/16/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Events
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETINGS 12/12/16
Select board meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television. Written minutes are available at the town’s website. Below is information about items discussed and acted on at Monday’s meeting:
A. SB Member Regier Resigns: Prior to the SB meeting, the board met in executive session, after which Selectmen Wendy Regier sat in the audience and did not participate in the meeting. The public learned with the release of the Agenda for the Dec. 15 SB meeting, that Regier had resigned from the Select Board in the executive session.
B. New Town Manager: Four selectmen approved and signed a contract with Brendan McNamara to replace Richard Svec as Town Manager, who is retiring. McNamara’s first day of work, and Svec’s last day will be Tuesday, January 3. Svec will continue to serve in an advisory capacity as needed.
C. Resignation of Planning Commissioner: Accepted resignation of Cavendish Planning Commissioner Joe Marini
D. Snowmobile Maps Approved: Snowmobile trails have been approved for the season. VAST and Windsor County maps are $5 each and are available by contacting Cavendish Green Mountain Snowfleas gmsnowfleas@comcast.net or they can be purchased at the Cavendish Cook Shack during snowmobile season. GM Snowfleas is opening trails starting Dec. 16. Check their Facebook page and website for trail information before heading out.
E. Bont’s Hill: Guardrails have been installed on Town Highway #43 (Bont’s Hill). Paving will take place in the spring.
F. Heat Pump: New heat pump equipment will be installed at the Cavendish Town Office before January 1. The electrical costs for running the high efficiency units will be off set by the surplus of solar credits from the town’s solar array.
G. Road Reclassification: The state has approved the reclassification of Quent Phelan Road from a class 3 to a class 2 road. This gives the town better funding opportunities for paving as well as higher reimbursement for State Aid to Town Roads
H. Light for 131 and 103 Intersection: In view of the recent accident at the intersection of Route 131 and Route 103, there was a discussion about a need for a traffic light. In the last year alone, the Proctorsville Fire Department has responded five times to accidents at this location. With the closer of the Depot Street Bridge more traffic is forced to use this intersection.
I. Noise Ordinance: The Noise Ordinance continues to be discussed
J. Telecommunications: The Cavendish Telecommunications Committee recently met with Comcast, who will be deciding whether to apply for state funds to connect the Tarbell/Knapp Pond area. It does not appear that TDS has upgraded service to the Twenty Mile Stream area. A copy of the Committee’s report to the SB is available in PDF.
2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Thank you PFD Chief Glidden: At 3:38 am on Dec. 16, the Proctorsville Fire Department was toned for automatic aid to Cavendish for a missing autistic 10year old girl from Main Street. With temps at -5, PFD E1 responded in less than 4 minutes. As they were being given instructions on where to search, Chief Glidden radioed that he located the missing child on High Street near the old Duttonsville School, and was bringing her back home. The child was found to be very cold but with no visible injury. Thank you Chief Glidden for a save that on such a cold night could have had a very different ending.
Cavendish town plow truck strikes utility pole: A town of Cavendish plow truck struck a utility pole Monday morning Dec. 12 and caused a brief power outage. At 7:50 a.m., Vermont State Police reported to High Street in Cavendish, near the intersection of Route 131 for a traffic accident. The road conditions were icy and snowy. VSP Report
PVFD Ice Water Rescue: The Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department is proud to announce that their emergency services will soon be expanding to include Ice Water Rescue. They currently have three trained Ice Water Technicians and will be training more firefighters over the winter to the technician level. For the last two years Techs have had to do training with the Chester Fire Dept. to maintain their certifications due to lack of departmental ice gear. The PVFD prudential board came through this year with the money to make this important purchase. Most of the gear has arrived and more is on the way. Training begins immediately and will be on line in January. Thank you everyone for your continued support. "Our family helping your family since 1833"
TRSU Act 46 Panel Leans Toward Merger Options: After more than a year of looking at the options for school consolidation, the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Act 46 Study Committee seemed to surprise itself by backing into a merger option to put before the state Board of Education and the voters of the towns in the union. The option selected would dissolve the Black River Union (Black River High and Ludlow and Mt. Holly Elementary) and Mt. Holly would connect with Mill River. Three elementary schools (Chester-Andover, Cavendish and Ludlow) would remain, but middle and high schools would unify in Chester at Green Mountain Union High. Chester Telegraph
Something to Write Home About: Sen. Dick McCormack is now writing a new series called “Something to Write Home About.” This week he talks about some of the important issues facing Vermonters as he looks forward to his 13th term serving the Windsor County Senate District. You can find the full update at his Facebook Page: VT State Senator Dick McCormack
Volunteers Needed for Audubon Christmas Bird Count: This holiday season marks the 117th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a favorite tradition among Vermont’s birding community. Birders in Vermont are encouraged to participate in the count, which is happening in Vermont from December 15 to January 2. Even novice birdwatchers can participate because an experienced birder leads every event. Organizers and participants include birders and biologists from Audubon Vermont, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, and many other groups. More than a dozen count areas and dates are available where birders gather together to conduct the Christmas Bird Count. The dates and contact information for each event are listed at vt.audubon.org/audubon-christmas-bird-count-0.
Mega International Power Transmission Line Wins Federal Approval: The US Dept. of Energy gave its approval this week to a 1,000 megawatt international power line that will carry mainly Canadian hydroelectric energy to southern New England. VT will have dibs on 200 megawatts. The cable will carry 1,000 megawatts of direct-current electricity 154 miles from the Canadian border to Ludlow, where a converter station would transform the electricity to alternating current. From the Coolidge Substation in Ludlow and Cavendish, the power will flow into the ISO-New England grid, VELCO spokesman Kerrick Johnson said. Most of the cable’s length from the Canadian border will be buried beneath Lake Champlain. VT Digger
3. EVENTS
DECEMBER 16 (Friday): GM Snowfleas are opening trails today. For more information check their website and Facebook page.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES (Dec. 24, Saturday)
• Candlelight Service at Okemo: 8:00pm. Located in the Jackson Gore Round House, Jackson Gore Road in Ludlow, VT. Celebrate Christmas with Okemo with a candlelight service led by Cavendish Baptist Church Pastor Abraham Gross. All are welcome to this sharing of the Christmas story and traditional Christmas caroling.
• Cavendish Baptist Church: 6 pm: Short Bible readings of the Christmas story along with traditional Christmas carols. Candlelighting
• St. James United Methodist Church: 6 pm
• Gethsemane Episcopal Church: 4 pm Carol, lessons and holy Eucharist
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE: Cavendish Baptist Church: 10:00am. 2258 Main Street in Cavendish. A traditional Sunday worship service celebrating Jesus as the center of this season and all seasons of our lives. FMI: (802) 226-7131 or visit CavendishBaptist.com
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
