Cavendish Update 1/4/19: TRSU/RT 103/News

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This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible in part by a donation from Peggy Svec. Thank you for your continued support.

 

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

1/4/19 Cavendish Update

  1. Cavendish Related News

2. Transfer Station News

3. Events

 

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Cavendish, Vermont Historic Timeline Updated: In January, the Cavendish Historical Society updates the Cavendish history timeline and makes it available at The Dish.

Two Rivers Supervisory Union/School Budgets: What is the role of the board in governing the Two Rivers Supervisory Union (TRSU)? This is especially applicable in the case of the Supervisory Union where the board’s financial decisions are not subject to approval by voters. Even before the new, post-Act 46 TRSU board came into being in July, several board members had questioned the expenditure requested for Ogment, an online system for “curriculum mapping and management” developed by EvoText of Burlington, Mass., and championed by Curriculum Director Michael Eppolito. Currently TRSU is the only school system using Ogment in VT, and Fred Marin, Cavendish’s rep to the TRSU, states that he’s searched for other places that use Ogment and couldn’t find any. Chester Telegraph

There are growing concerns that this year’s budget process is not much different than last year. The teachers have been told that $500,000 needs to be cut from the budget in order keep the overall increase between 2.6% and 3.5% (cost of living). It would appear that spending funds for an unproven piece of software does not to be a cost saving measure, particularly when teachers are already using PowerSchool and Google to store data and information. Further, as was discussed at length last year, what are the goals of the TRSU? Where’s the vision? On a more practical level, since Cavendish Town Elementary School’s (CTES) principal is on a one-year contract, what is being done for evaluation? Could the school be in the same position it was last year?

Route 103 Winterization More Touching Up: According to the VT Agency of Transportation, route 103 needs a bit more work. Between Ludlow Village and Mount Holly is still “milled,” leaving the surface rough and uneven. The temporary coating along that stretch didn’t hold. Milled roadways hold more water and thus are more dangerous when they freeze. Other issues include road lines being worn away. Agency of Transportation officials inspected the road on Dec. 28 and gave Pike Industries two weeks to come up with a plan to improve safety along the portion of road in question. AOT has suggested the company put up warning signs, which it has, and make more use of raised road markers where the paint isn’t holding. Rutland Herald

Concerns Raised Over New Springfield Hospital Consulting Firm: As Springfield Hospital begins a contract with Quorum Health Resources to understand its financial woes; the hospital’s physicians and staff are sharing concerns about Quorum’s financial mismanagement and lawsuits. Quorum, the Tennessee-based company that manages about 200 hospitals in 38 states, and its parent corporation, have faced numerous lawsuits over the past two decades for negligence, fraud and secrecy. VT Digger

VT Minimum Wage Increase: In Vermont, the minimum wage increased Tuesday from $10.50 per hour to $10.78. The Vermont wage is indexed to inflation. The minimum wage for tipped employees increased to $5.39 from $5.25. The federal minimum wage is $7.25, which was last raised in 2009.

 

2. CAVENDISH TRANSFER STATION NEWS: A couple of quick reminders:

Mercury is in more than thermometers: It can be in gauges, switches, flame sensors and temperature probes as well as in button cell batteries. You can learn more about these devices at the VT Agency of Natural Resources website. Such items cannot be disposed in the regular trash. If you have questions, or wish to have a device checked, please call Bruce MeEnaney-226-8045.

Christmas Batteries and Lights: Just a reminder that all types of batteries can be recycled at the transfer station, along with those strands of lights that no longer work.  If you missed the special Christmas post on recycling, go to Recycling Christmas Cavendish Style.

3. EVENTS: The Cavendish Town Budget process is now underway and the Select Board will be meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January from 6-8 at the Cavendish Town Office as part of this process.

JANUARY 8 (TUESDAY): GMUSD Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm at CTES

JANUARY 14 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Monthly Meeting 6:30 pm

JANUARY 18 (FRIDAY): Municipal utility payment due

JANUARY 21 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King Day Town Office closed

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 12/28/18: 103/Recycling Christmas/News

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This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible in part by a donation from Liz Bammerito. Thank you for your continued support.

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

 

12/28/18 Cavendish Update

1.Cavendish Related News

2. Recycling Christmas Cavendish Style

3. What’s Going on with Route 103?

4. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Olive Kingsbury: It is with sadness that we note the passing of Olive Kingsbury, the last of the Kingsbury family of Chubb Hill. Olive Esther Kingsbury was born Aug. 19, 1926, to Alfred and Ellen Kingsbury in Cavendish, Vermont, and passed away at the age of 92 on Dec. 11, 2018. After attending schools in Cavendish and Chester, Olive graduated from Nyack College and earned her nursing degree (RN) from Laconia (New Hampshire) Hospital School of Nursing in 1950. From 1952 to 1975, Olive served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance as a nurse in Vietnam, caring for leprosy patients in Ban Ma Thuot. After leaving Vietnam, Olive was assigned to the Philippines where she taught at a Bible school in Davao City until 1990, when she retired from mission work. Olive returned to the home farm in Cavendish, where she lived until two months before her death. Olive was very active in her local church, Ludlow Baptist, and in the surrounding community. She kept in close touch with many missionary friends, family members and neighbors, and was able to live alone at her home because of the kindness and caring of church family and neighborhood friends. Olive was preceded in death by her brothers Paul and Ansel, and her sister, Miriam. She is survived by her nieces Ellen (Rob) Stearns, Grace (Mike) Muzzo, Esther (Peter) Sexton and Alice Kingsbury. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Ludlow Baptist Church in Ludlow. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Compassion & Mercy Associates, 8595 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, or www.CAMA.org.

After Outcry, Vail Reinstates Reduced Prices at Okemo for Low Income Kids: After a week of public outcry and scrutiny, Vail Resorts has reinstated discounted prices for low-income schoolchildren participating in snow sports programs at Okemo Mountain Resort. Vail Resorts had told snow sports coordinators at public schools in the Ludlow area that the mountain would charge all children a standardized price of $35 for the pass, and $65 for equipment rentals for a total of $100 for the eight-week program. After a week of online fundraising and public outcry, Vail reversed its decision.  Vail officials said they were continuing to learn about the Okemo community and feel strongly about “promoting a passion for the outdoors amongst kids.” VT Digger

 Russian Ambassador Sends Letter of Appreciation to the People of Cavendish: On Christmas Eve, the Cavendish Historical Society received a letter of appreciation from Anatoly Antonov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the USA. In response to the letter sent to the People of Russia from the People of Cavendish in honor of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's 100th birthday, Antonov noted, "On our part, we are grateful to the citizens of Cavendish for supporting the prominent writer, philosopher and patriot of his Motherland for many years that he spent in your town. Taking good care of the Solzhenitsyn family was itself a contribution to preserving and promoting of the great visionary." Both letters appear at the CHS blog.

 State Approves GMP Rate Hike for Fall 2019: Green Mountain Power customers will pay slightly less for their electricity next year before rates rise 5.43 percent in September, according to a ruling from state utility regulators. The Public Utility Commission said the rate hike is justified because the state’s largest power company faces increasing costs, including wholesale transmission charges. But GMP’s 265,000 customers will not see the increase until September. Until then, a windfall from corporate tax cuts will actually result in a nearly 1 percent decrease. VPR

 

2. RECYCLING CHRISTMAS CAVENDISH STYLE: Real Christmas trees can be recycled at the Cavendish Transfer Station along with plain wrapping paper (a little tape is okay) along with plain cards and cardboard boxes. Anything with metallic, glitter or velvety flocking, Styrofoam, as well as bows, ribbons and anything stringy needs to go in the regular trash compactor. Left overs from Christmas dinner can be composted in the marked bin at the Transfer Station. Broken lights go to the electronics shed along with dead batteries and other electronic devices. Learn more about what can be recycled and what goes where at The Dish.

3. WHAT’S GOING ON WITH 103?: Many people are complaining about the condition of Route 103. Lines are melting, potholes are appearing and in some places, it seems the road is worse than before the repaving project began.

In response to the Cavendish Connects Facebook posting on route 103- Friday, December 21-there were over 100 comments, with the primary concerns being:

• Can’t see the lines and that creates a dangerous situation particularly when the weather is bad or if it’s dark.

• 103 isn’t as bad as 131.

• Asphalt is not supposed to be paved at temps below 35, the last coat put down was done when it was below freezing. The temporary pavement is coming up faster than they laid it down.

• Who’s going to be responsible for all the damage to vehicles and accidents? Pike? Vtrans?

• By the tracks 103 & 131 do not line up. Several people stated they have come close to accidents in this location. Lining up with driveways and other roadways to a problem.

Pike Industries was awarded a contract by Vermont’s Agency of Transportation (Vtrans) to repave 103 from Rockingham to Rutland starting in the late spring of 2018 and ending by Oct. 2018. Established in 1872, this is the largest asphalt and aggregate producers in New England, with corporate offices in New Hampshire.

Vtrans has used Pike for various projects. However, this year, Pike “botched” four jobs in Vermont, including the 103 project.

In October it was announced that the Route 103 project would have to be halted because of the approaching winter and it would begin a new in the spring of 2019. While the reason given was rainy weather, the actual cause was due to paving equipment being pulled from the job for another project. For six weeks, during prime summer construction season, nothing took place.

While Pike has put in temporary road lines, people are complaining that the recent sleet/rain and snowstorm is causing the lines to basically disappear. Many are very concerned that the last ditch efforts are making the roads worse instead of better.

According to Vtrans, two state inspectors were sent out Dec. 21 to compile a list of problems Pike must correct in order to secure road safety for the winter. It is important to note that Pike has a signed contract with the state. This is a set fee so it’s not costing the taxpayer anymore because of the over runs.

 

4. EVENTS

DECEMBER 31 (MONDAY): NEW YEAR’S EVE

JANUARY 1 (TUESDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

JANUARY 8 (TUESDAY): GMUSD Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm at CTES

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS CAVENDISH STYLE

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Christmas Trees/Wreaths/Greenery: Real trees, wreaths and greenery are biodegradable, which means that can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.

 After you've removed the tinsel, lights and decorations consider the following:

• Take it to the Cavendish Transfer Station during normal business hours.

 • Cut it up for mulch in your garden or a neighbors.

 • Set it up for the birds. Spread small branches with margarine or peanut butter and dip in birdseed.

 • Even if you live on a small property, you can place your old Christmas tree at the edge of your yard. This makes a small wintertime wildlife habitat for rabbits, birds, and squirrels. Some may even build their nests in the pine boughs!

 • Cut up and save for an outdoor fire pit. Never use for indoor fires.

 • Make a sachet with the tree’s needles and store in various rooms in your house that could use a Christmas pick me up.

 • Large branches have a natural curve. Because of this, they can be stacked to save perennial flowers including, but not limited to, rose roots and berries. This will help protect these tender plants during this winter's icy storms! Can also use them for indoor plants.

 • Cut off boughs and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and reduce frost heaving.

What goes in the Recycling Compactor

• Non metallic wrapping paper-a little tape is okay but not the ribbons and bows

• Cardboard boxes (remove Styrofoam). Please take a minute and break them down so they’ll fit better in the compactor

• Plain Christmas cards

 

What Needs to Go in the Trash

• Ribbons, bows, twine and anything that’s long and stringy.

• Shiny Christmas cards printed on photo paper; those with metallic embossing, glitter

• Metallic, glitter, velvety flocking wrapping paper

• Styrofoam

 

Can be recycled just not in the compactor

• Plastic bags: The following plastic bag items can be recycled at various local stores- grocery bags, bread bags, case overwrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, wood pellet bags, Ziploc & other re-sealable bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, salt bags, and cereal bags. All materials must be clean, dry and free of food residue. The following local stores participate in the Trex recycling program: Market Basket, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Shaw’s, Target, and Whole Foods.

• Compost: Look for the special compost bin near the trash compactor

• Electronics, Batteries, Lights: Electronics Shed

• Styrofoam Peanuts: Please have them securely sealed in a container so they don’t blow around. Give them to the attendant who will recycle them locally.

 

Learn more about the Cavendish Transfer Station