Cavendish Update 5/20/22: Arrest/News/Events

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  HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8:00 PM MAY 21 (SATURDAY)

5/20/22

1.    GM Teacher Charged with Producing child pornography

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

4.    Events

1. GM TEACHER CHARGED WITH PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: On May 12, parents of GMUHS students received an e-mail stating that there was possible inappropriate behavior by a GMUHS staff member. That staff member has been placed on administrative leave while the police conduct their investigation.  At this time there is no indication that anything inappropriate happened at the school; however, in an abundance of caution, the police conducted a thorough search of the building for evidence late Wednesday evening.  We want to assure you that this does not involve drugs or weapons or physical safety.  We understand that you will have additional questions. We are not able to share further information at this time.  As soon as possible, we will provide an update.

The update came a week later when WCAX and the Chester Telegraph  posted that Norman Merrill, a teacher at GMUHS, was arrested and accused of using hidden cameras to produce child pornography. A federal grand jury indicted Merrill on charges including production of child sexual abuse material and possession of child sexual abuse material. WCAX  Chester Police and the Vermont State Police conducted a preliminary examination of a memory card seized from the residence that revealed numerous voyeuristic videos taken in bathrooms.  Some of these videos were taken in a bathroom of defendant Merrill’s residence and were determined to depict nude minor female children. The memory card also contained image files that appear to be screen-captures created from these videos of nude minors. Chester Telegraph

Last evening, GMUHS e-mailed parents, informing them of Merrill’s arrest and included the link to the Department of Justice Press Release. They also noted that  If you are reluctant to send your child to school on Friday, we understand. They may still attend all after school and weekend events if they choose.

Counselors will be at GM to assist students and staff. The Chester Police are also available to answer questions 802-875-2035.

Please note, this is a developing story and facts about this situation can change.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Cavendish Fire District #2 budget passes: At Tuesday’s annual meeting, the budget (approximately $138,000) passed, with an increase of approximately $30,000 to cover the rising cost of oil, adding money to the Truck Fund, and to pay the new auditor, Diane McNamara, a stipend of $100. McNamara assumes this position, which has been vaccinate for a number of years. Abe Gross will continue to be moderator of the Annual Meeting and Stacy Bishop will replace Stu Lindberg on the Prudential Board. Matt Seaton and Maureen Savage remain in their current positions as secretary and treasurer. The meeting has been recorded and will be available at the Okemo Valley TV’s website.

• CHS Plant Sale: The Cavendish Historical Society Annual Plant sale takes place in front of the Museum on Friday evening May 27 from 5-7 and on Saturday May 28 from 9-noon. If you are interested in container veggies, pre orders can be picked up starting this weekend. If you are interested in tomatoes (cherry, Sungold and Early Girl) or lettuce buckets, order now by calling 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com For the first time, there will be geraniums at the sale along with hosta favorites.

• Memorial Service for Connie Choiniere A memorial Mass will be held in Ludlow Vt. on June 18 at 11pm at The Annunciation Of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.  A reception will follow at the Choiniere home, 16 Pratt Hill Rd, Proctorsville.,Vt. Funeral will be held in Woonsocket,R.I. in Sept.

• Nitka among Vermont state senators who will not seek re-election

• SAPCC Formula Bank:Springfield Area Parent Child Center, which includes Cavendish, is offering free cans of formula to families in their service area. Stop by SAPCC Monday-Friday 8:30 to 3:30 to pick up or donate. FMI: Kayla.bapp@sapcc-vt.org 802-886-5242

• Fletcher Farm School June Classes: Note that there is a discount for Cavendish and Ludlow residents.

• OMARA offers two scholarships: Open to graduating seniors in the Okemo Valley. OMARA is awarding two $500 scholarships to two graduating seniors that have participated in Winter Snow Sports throughout their academic career. To apply, email omarascholarships@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name, email, the high school that you are graduating from, and a response to the question: How has your participation in Winter Snow Sports helped better prepare you for what is to come after high school? The deadline to apply is June 6th.

• Springfield Medical Care Systems is now North Star Health: Springfield Medical Care Systems, an independent, federally qualified health center serving southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire has unveiled a new name and brand identity: North Star Health. North Star Health includes Ludlow Health Center and Ludlow Dental Center.

• Coins on Headstones: As we approach Memorial Day, you may notice coins on some gravestones, particularly veteran graves. Please do not disturb.

• Billion Graves: Many people contact the Cavendish Historical Society looking for ancestors. While Find a Grave is a very helpful tool, did you know that there is another site called Billion Graves? While Find a Grave is very popular in VT, Billion Graves is heavily used in other places and worth checking.

3. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: No cases have been reported this past week.

LONG TERM CARE: The following long term care facilities used by Cavendish residents are reporting outbreaks of Covid as of May 16, Historic Homes of Runnemede (13 cumulative cases); and The Pines at Rutland Center for Nursing & Rehab (7 cumulative cases)

STATE: As of Wednesday, the state has officially ceased daily case counts and replacing it with a weekly Surveillance Report. According to that report statewide community levels are “high” based on recent hospital admissions and the percentage of hospital beds occupied by Covid patients. Rutland Regional Medical Center has reopened its COVID Unit in response to the surge in cases. 

The CDC recommends that people in high-level counties, Windsor is one such county, take broad-scale action to prevent Covid transmission, such as wearing masks.

Fourteen people have died so far in May, a death rate higher than March and April but below December-February.

Vt. state-sponsored COVID testing sites to close in coming weeks: Vermont health officials say most state-sponsored COVID testing sites will be phased out over the next two months (May and June). According to Vt. Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, as the pandemic progresses with highly transmissible variants like omicron, the at-home instant testing has proved to be more timely and useful than the PCR tests provided by the state-run clinics.

Free COVID tests: Americans can once again order free COVID-19 tests from the federal government by visiting COVIDtests.gov. In this round, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver eight free rapid antigen tests to any household in the U.S. that wants them.

Q&A: We’ve received a number of questions recently about antibody testing and how long the protection lasts if you’ve had Covid.

• Antibody Testing: Antibody or serology tests look for antibodies in your blood that fight the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to produce antibodies to fight infection from the virus. If you get an antibody test after receiving a vaccine, you might test positive by some (but not all) antibody tests. Some antibody tests will only detect antibodies from infection, not from vaccination. Antibody testing is not currently recommended to determine if you are immune to COVID-19 following COVID-19 vaccination. The CDC’s Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing provide more information on how antibody testing should be used and interpreted.

• How long does natural immunity last after a Covid-19 infection: The jury is still out is the simplest answer. An October 2021 study by the Yale School of Public Health- The Lancet Microbe -reported that unvaccinated people should have immunity against reinfection for 3 to 61 months after they had COVID-19, if their community is still experiencing infections from the virus. However, this study was pre Omicron variant which is quite different than the initial strain and Delta variant. One study showed that over 80% of those who were infected with earlier strains of the virus didn’t gain immunity from the Omicron variant. In fact, as the Omicron strain has mutated, some people are being reinfected.

4. EVENTS

MAY 20-21 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGN Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on Route 103. 10-4.

MAY 22 (SUNDAY): CCCA Spring Bird Walk at 8 am. Walkers will meet at the Proctor Piper trail head in Proctorsville. Marianne and Michael Walsh of the Mount Ascutney Audubon Bird Association return and join Tim Calabrese of the Cavendish Trail Association to lead the birding walk along the Proctor Piper Trail which links the two villages in Cavendish. To register and for more information Robin at 802-259-2327 or robintimko@tds.net. Walk is limited to 12 people.

MAY 25 (WEDNESDAY): Property Grievance Day

MAY 27 (FRIDAY): 5-7 pm, Early Bird Cavendish Historical Society plant sale in front of the Museum

MAY 28 (SATURDAY): 9-noon: CHS Plant sale continues in front of the Museum.

MAY 30 (MONDAY): Memorial Day. Legal holiday. Town Office Closed

JUNE 1 (WEDNESDAY): CCCA’s Cavendish Calendar Photography Contest photographs are due today.  FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

JUNE 21 (TUESDAY): Last day of school

-       1st Day of Summer

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 5/13/22: SB Mtg/Job/Burn Ban

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A BURN BAN IS IN EFFECT FOR CAVENDISH UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. OUTDOOR BURNING IS PROHIBITED.

Fuels remain abnormally dry. Combined with low relative humidity, fires started could quickly grow.

5/13/22

1.    Cavendish Planning & Select Board Meetings

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Job Opening Cavendish Library

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. CAVENDISH PLANNING & SELECT BOARD MEETINGS: At the May Planning Commission meeting, according to the report filed by Sharon Huntley of the VT Journal, “ Tempers flared among commission members … as the group failed to agree on the final approval for the “enhanced energy chapter” that has been in process for the better part of four years.”

At the May 9 Select Board (SB) Meeting, the ‘Energy Chapter’ was once again discussed. Selectman Stephen Plunkard, who is the SB’s liaison to the Planning Commission, noted four years is a long time to discuss a policy or objective. It was his view that goals and objectives were just that, not regulations, and therefore do not carry penalties if they go unmet. His take away from the May 4th meeting was it seemed more about philosophy than actual wording.

Following the Planning Commission meeting, long standing member John Saydeck, who has served on the Commission for more than 30 years, submitted his letter of resignation to the SB, which was accepted with regrets and thanks for his many years of service.

The Planning Commission’s membership is already down, as one member has not attended in the last year. Bruce McEnaney has been appointed to the Commission, which makes that a five member commission.

Other actions/discussions at the SB meeting:

• The Class 2 Paving Grant has been approved and funds will be used to pave Tarbell Hill Rd. If funds permit, a Class 3 road would also be paved. Ranney Hill, Quent Phalen, High Street and Whitesville roads all need attention.

• Several people, including Stephan Plunkard, are interested in joining an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) committee to discuss how these funds should be used.

• Memorial Day: Brendan McNamara, town manager, is working on a program to be held on Monday, May 30th. The parade this year will be to Hillcrest Cemetery

• McNamara is meeting with Regional Planning about soil testing on the old town garage site. His goal is to complete this project, which includes relocation of the pole barns and landscaping, by the fall

FMI: May 9, 2022 Select Board Meeting Unapproved Minutes

Planning Commission erupts over Enhanced Energy Chapter

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Notice to Cavendish Property Owners-Grievance Day: May 25 (Wednesday) at 9:30 am, the assessor will meet at the Cavendish Town Office to hear appeals of the taxpayers aggrieved by actions of the Assessor from whom timely grievances have been received. To be timely, such grievances must be in writing and received (postmarks not accepted) by May 24th (Tuesday). At the close of grievance hearings, the assessor shall make such corrections in the abstract as were determined upon hearing or otherwise. Unless cause to the contrary is shown, the contents of said abstract will, for the tax year 2023, become the grand list of the town/city of each taxpayer named therein.

• Memorial for Seymour Leven: There will be a military salute at the Cavendish Village Cemetery on High St followed by a gathering at the Cavendish Baptist Church on Saturday, June 4th 2022 at 2:00pm. Please bring your stories and remembrances.

• Proctorsville Hair Salon for Sale: Established 31 years ago, the salon is locate in Proctorsville village, across from Svec Park (Proctorsville Green). Move in ready with full clientele in rented space. FMI: Julie 802-226-7233

• Cavendish Green Up May!: Thanks to all who participated in last Saturday’s Green Up Day. While 50% of Cavendish’s 68 roads (50%) were covered, the goal is to cover the other 50%. Stop by the Town Office vestibule, which is open 24/7, and check out the list of roads not covered. Take some bags, sign up on the board the route(s) you’ll be doing, and green up while enjoying the gorgeous weather we’re having. When you finish, please call Betty McEnaney at 802-236-7099 to answer a couple of questions about your route. Cavendish Thanks You!!

• Cavendish Historical Society News: The CHS Spring Newsletter is now on-line with events information (including the plant sale) and the continuation of 100 Unique Things About Cavendish.

• Letter carriers food drive this Saturday: Tomorrow Saturday, May 14, the 30th anniversary of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will take place. Letter carriers across the country will collect nonperishable food donations directly from customers. Participants are asked to leave any food donations outside by their mailbox in a bag– the letter carrier will take care of the rest. You can also drop off donations at the Cavendish or Proctorsville Post offices. Participants are reminded that glass and expired items are not permitted. Donations go directly to local food pantries.

• 2022 Spring Bird Walk: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association is sponsoring a Spring Bird Walk on Sunday May 22nd at 8 am. Walkers will meet at the Proctor Piper trail head in Proctorsville. Marianne and Michael Walsh of the Mount Ascutney Audubon Bird Association will join Tim Calabrese of the Cavendish Trail Association to lead the birding walk along the Proctor Piper Trail that links the two villages in Cavendish. The walk is of moderate difficulty with a few stream crossings, some rock hopping and moderately steep slopes, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring your binoculars. The walk will be slow going as we pay attention to bird song and movement. We will meet at the trail head where there is plenty of parking. Marianne and Michael will guide us in identifying the birds we find along the way with their knowledge and expertise. May is the best month to observe the return of migrating birds, since by June they have settled into nesting. This walk is limited to 12 people. To register and for more information: Robin at 802-259-2327 or robintimko@tds.net.

• Cannabis Commission is set in Chester

3. JOB OPENING CAVENDISH LIBRARIAN: The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is seeking a full-time librarian/media/technology specialist with the dual responsibility of a community librarian (60%) and a certified school librarian (40%). Qualified candidates must hold or be eligible to hold a valid VT Educator License with Library Media Specialist (61) Endorsement. Preferred a minimum of two years of professional library experience and grant writing experience. Salary range $45-$65K, commensurate with experience and credentials. Benefits include vacation, sick leave, State pension and health insurance. Send resume to Resume to Peggy Svec at cavendishlibrary573@gmail.com

The current librarian, Kata Welch, has taken the position as full time librarian for Cavendish/Andover Elementary School.

4. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: New cases of COVID-19 in the TRSU 5/5-5/11/22 CAES 1 case; Mt Holly Elementary 1 case

STATE: The state is ending the Covid dashboard as of Mary 18 and replacing it with a weekly “surveillance report” starting May 11. It will be updated every Wednesday. COVID-19 data sets will still be accessible through the Vermont Open Geodata Portal, including case counts, hospitalizations, deaths, PCR testing and more. 

At Tuesday’s press conference, Dr. Mark Levine, Health Commissioner, noted that the primary reason for the change is the high home testing rate with lower reporting of findings. “We’ve spoken many times here about data reporting and the need to focus on the larger picture of Covid: its impact on our health and on our health care systems,” he said.  The state’s main concern is Covid severity, which is captured by hospital data and mortality.

Included in the new weekly report, the first one is now available, are new daily Covid case rates, admissions and percent of staffed inpatients occupied by Covid-19 patients. Also included are percent of emergency visits with Covid like illness; the percentage of the different variants; waste water monitoring; reported and confirmed outbreaks; county data; and vaccination data.

No modeling report was published this week, though Levine noted that cases have increased about 4% this week. Hospitalizations went up to 75 on Tuesday, the highest since the BA.2 variant surge began. Four more deaths were reported. Levine said many vaccinated Vermonters who have been hospitalized were not up to date on their vaccines, including the first or second booster for immunocompromised Vermonters or those 50 and older. He also said about half of Vermonters hospitalized for Covid came to the hospital for other conditions, rather than being admitted because of Covid.

Vermont has had one of the highest Covid-19 case rates in the nation, according to The New York Times, as the highly infectious BA.2 subvariant swept through the state beginning in mid-March. Levine noted the reasons were “multifactorial,” “Because we continue to be a state with perhaps still the lowest rate of immunity from having had Covid, we do expect the virus to continue to spread.” Between a quarter and a third of Vermonters had contracted Covid between March 2020 and February 2022, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s compared to nearly 60% of the nation as a whole.

3 ways to get COVID pills, if you've just tested positive

5.EVENTS

MAY 14 (SATURDAY): Letter carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Drop off items at Cavendish or Proctorsville Post offices, or leave in a bag by your mail box.

MAY 15 (SUNDAY): Town Taxes due

MAY 17 (TUESDAY): Fire District 2 (Cavendish Village) annual meeting, 7 pm at the Cavendish Fire Department.

MAY 20-21 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGN Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on Route 103. 10-4.

MAY 22 (SUNDAY): CCCA Spring Bird Walk at 8 am. Walkers will meet at the Proctor Piper trail head in Proctorsville. Marianne and Michael Walsh of the Mount Ascutney Audubon Bird Association return and join Tim Calabrese of the Cavendish Trail Association to lead the birding walk along the Proctor Piper Trail which links the two villages in Cavendish. To register and for more information: Robin at 802-259-2327 or robintimko@tds.net. Walk is limited to 12 people.

MAY 25 (WEDNESDAY): Property Grievance Day

MAY 27 (FRIDAY): 5-7 pm, Early Bird Cavendish Historical Society plant sale in front of the Museum

MAY 28 (SATURDAY): 9-noon: CHS Plant sale continues in front of the Museum.

MAY 30 (MONDAY): Memorial Day. Legal holiday. Town Office Closed

JUNE 1 (WEDNESDAY): CCCA’s Cavendish Calendar Photography Contest photographs are due today.  FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

JUNE 21 (TUESDAY): Last day of school

-       1st Day of Summer

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 5/6/22: Thank you/Composting/Green Up/News

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GREEN UP DAY IS TOMORROW

Meet at Greven Field 9-10 for gloves, bags & routes

Cook Out @ Greven 11-1

GM Booster Club Bottle Drive @ Greven from 9-1

5/6/22

1.    Thank you

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Composting at the Cavendish Transfer Station

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

1. THANK YOU! We’re now well into year 3 of Covid, which has required a lot of extra time and effort from Cavendish Connects. Yet, the donations we receive makes it easier. This generosity helps keep our community informed, as well as masked and even tested. It also keeps us busy. If somewhere along the way we haven’t reached out to personally thank you, we want you to know we truly appreciate it and couldn’t be doing this without your support. Please note, we received a shipment of new KN95s yesterday. We will be getting them to distribution points over the weekend. If you have an immediate need, e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call 802-226-7807 to arrange for a drop off.

2 . CAVENDISH INFO

• Graveside Service for Harry Westcott: A graveside service will be held on May 14 (Saturday) at 2 pm at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Proctorsville. Harry died December 16, 2021.

• Vermont DMV to keep scheduling system

3. COMPOSTING AT THE CAVENDISH TRANSFER STATION: When the Vermont legislature banned food scraps from the trash and mandated that all Vermonters compost food scraps, the Town of Cavendish engaged the services of a company to haul away those scraps each week. That quickly became hugely expensive, so the town decided to try a different route. For several months now the Cavendish transfer station has been composting on site. That saves both the carbon cost and dollar cost of haulage, making composting more economical and environmentally sustainable. Any Cavendish resident with access to the transfer station can use the new composting section for no extra charge.

What must stay out of the trash and instead be composted includes those parts of food items that are typically discarded rather than eaten such as peels, rinds, cores, eggshells, seeds, pits, bones, coffee grounds and paper filters, loose-leaf tea & paper tea bags, and fats/oils/grease. It also includes food plate scraps or leftovers and any food that went bad. And not just food must be composted - if it was once part of something alive, like a plant or an animal, it does not belong in the landfill. So, grass clippings and any other yard debris must stay out of the trash and can be put into the compost.

Eventually the newly created compost will be available to Cavendish residents free of charge, although it will take time for the scraps and waste to become useable compost. Meanwhile the town employees ask that people be more careful in what they throw into the compost pile. Plastic bags are not compostable. Dump compostables into the pile and throw the plastic into the trash. Some plastic food containers and utensils may be recyclable, but they are not compostable, even if the manufacturer says they are. Food scraps will compost in a few months, the containers and utensils will take many years if at all to compost. If they are clean, put them in recycling.

For those people who have a yard where they can set up a compost pile or bin, there’s no reason to bring that food and yard waste to the transfer station. Instead, create your own compost. It’s usable to enrich the soil of lawns, gardens, and potted plants. For information on how to make your own compost, or about any aspect of food waste disposal, go to Composting Workshop 2015 or to VT Waste Management website. FMI: Caall the Cavendish town office at 802-226-7291.

4. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: New cases of COVID-19 in the TRSU 4/29-5/4/22 GMUHS 3; Ludlow Elementary 1.

LONG TERM CARE: There has been a multi resident Covid outbreak at the Gill home this week.

STATE: According to Tuesday’s, May 3 Modeling report The 7-day average has increased from 285 to 326 (+5%) cases per day over the last week. Vermont reported 2,317 new COVID-19 cases this week, 318 more cases compared to the prior week.

As of May 5, 2022, hospitalizations (56) and ICU admissions (16) are where they were in mid-February of this year. There were 345 new cases yesterday and 504 on Wednesday. Since May 1, there have been 5 new death reports, bringing the state total of Vermonter deaths to 642.

At Tuesday’s press, health commissioner Dr. Mark Levine noted that Omicron BA.2 was going to be with us for a while so now was a good time to assess individual risk factors and act accordingly. He noted that the majority of Covid-19 hospitalizations were those over 65, who had received vaccinations, but not booster shots. Ultimately, Levine recommended that if you are 65+ and/or have an underlying condition, be vaccinated and boosted (2 x), wear a protective mask, such as a KN95, when in public (that includes public transportation) and practice social distancing.

VT Receives 2,000 Paxlovid Doses: Levine noted on Tuesday that the federal health agencies increased the Covid antiviral Paxlovid to 2,000 doses this week for a one time allocation. The state has been receiving 200 doses, which has been insufficient to meet demand. The state’s weekly supply will be 220, with 45 doses for those who have kidney issues. Note: Rite Aid Ludlow has received doses of the antiviral.

If you test positive, contact your primary care health provider for a free prescription for an antiviral. You will need to take the medication within five days of having a positive Covid test. This is particularly important for those 65+ and/or having an underlying condition.

CDC restates recommendation for masks on planes, trains: Americans age 2 and older should wear a well-fitting masks while on public transportation, including in airports and train stations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended, citing the current spread of coronavirus and projections of future COVID-19 trends.

And the Variants Keep on Coming: In the U.S. a new version of omicron called BA.2.12.1 was identified in central New York state last month, causing a sharp rise in cases. This new variant is spreading rapidly across the country, about 50% faster each week than the omicron BA.2, which has been dominant variant in VT.

In South Africa, two variants,  BA.4 and BA.5, are causing a fifth wave of cases. In the past two weeks, cases jumped from 1,200 each day to 4,600 each day. And the positivity rate jumped from about 8% to 18%. So far this is a rare variant in the US and it’s a matter of waiting and seeing.

Unfortunately, even if you’ve had omicron, you can be reinfected with this new variant. The re infection rate may be higher for unvaccinated.

5. EVENTS

MAY 7 (SATURDAY): Green Up Day & GM Booster Bottle Drive, Greven Field

MAY 15 (SUNDAY): Town Taxes due

MAY 16 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board Meeting 6:30 Town Office

MAY 17 (TUESDAY): Fire District 2 (Cavendish Village) annual meeting, 7 pm at the Cavendish Fire Department.

MAY 20-21 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGN Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on Route 103. 10-4.

MAY 27 (FRIDAY): 5-7 pm, Early Bird Cavendish Historical Society plant sale in front of the Museum

MAY 28 (SATURDAY): 9-noon: CHS Plant sale continues in front of the Museum.

MAY 30 (MONDAY): Memorial Day. Legal holiday. Town Office Closed

JUNE 1 (WEDNESDAY): CCCA’s Cavendish Calendar Photography Contest photographs are due today.  FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

JUNE 21 (TUESDAY): Last day of school

-       1st Day of Summer

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 4/29/22: News Events

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

GREEN UP BAGS CAN BE PICKED UP NOW AT THE TOWN OFFICE. Take a walk and “green up” Cavendish. Drop off at the Cavendish Transfer Station free of charge.

4/29/22

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Covid update

3.    Events

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Leonard T Carlisle Funeral: Funeral Services and calling hours will be held, Friday, May 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland. The funeral is Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m. at the Cavendish Baptist Church. Burial at the Cavendish Cemetery with a reception will follow in Ludlow.

• PCB Testing of TRSU Schools: According to VT Digger,   the testing of PCBs will be as follows: CTES 4/1-30/22; GMUHS 7/1-31/23; CAES 10/1-31/22; LES 7/1-9/30/22; and Mt. Holly 10/1-31/22

• GMUSD discusses BFK, buses, and contract increases

• BRGN Rummage Sale: Black River Good Neighbor Services annual Gigantic Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 takes place on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. The sale includes clothing, shoes, sporting goods, housewares, linens, furniture, artwork, books, a boutique, a bake sale, grills, and more. Proceeds benefit BRGNS’ food and financial assistance programs. FMI: Krey Kellington BRGN Thrift Store, 37B Main St., Ludlow at 802-228-3663 or brgoodneighbors@gmail.com.

• Fletcher Memorial Library Ludlow Selected for Palace: The FML in Ludlow has been selected by the VT Dept. of Libraries (VDL) to be one of the 30 initial participants in a new downloadable service called “Palace.” It is an application in which “libby” and new VDL download programs may be accessed. Click here for more information about Palace and read the May Newsletter at the FML website.

• Broadband could take longer and cost more to deploy in Vermont than anticipated

• New program offers free associate degree to Vt. high school students

2. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

TRSU SCHOOL NUMBERS: No new cases at CTES or GMUHS since the 4/15/22 report. There have been 3 cases in the TRSU, 2 at Ludlow Elementary School and one at Chester Elementary. Note, schools were on spring break the week of April 18. Since the start of the 21/22 school year, there have been at least 272 cases district wide.

STATE NUMBERS: Tuesday’s press conference was held at a job fair, and did not include updates on Covid. However, the modeling report for April 26, was released and  noted a new trend, reflecting the Omicron BA 2 variant. Cases of COVID-19 this week in Vermont increased again, growing from an average of 261 to 283 (+8.5%) cases per day over the last seven days while testing was flat. Hospital admissions and inpatient numbers increased this week, with those hospitalized for COVID in Vermont growing 42% over the last seven days. However, the average number of Vermonters in the ICU has fallen this week, although low counts create instability in the percentage change. One more Vermonter has died of the virus. The total death toll is now 630 .

As of April 28, there are now 64 Vermonters hospitalized with Covid, 8 in the ICU. This is highest number of hospitalizations since Feb. 15. There have been 13 new deaths reported since April 21, bringing the total to 634. Seropositivity, the percentage of positive Covid tests, has jumped to 13%.

Mike Pieciak, Commissioner of the Dept. of Financial Regulation, a member of the Governor’s Covid Response team and responsible for the weekly modeling report, has announced his resignation “to pursue other opportunities.” VT Digger

According to the VT Dept. of Health, We are seeing more flu activity and know there are stomach bugs, colds and other illnesses around, in addition to COVID-19. It can be hard, but staying home when you’re sick is important to limiting the spread of any virus and keeping everyone healthier.

Here's why Dr. Fauci says the U.S. is 'out of the pandemic phase'. "We are in a different moment of the pandemic," he said. After a brutal winter surge, Fauci added, "we've now decelerated and transitioned into more of a controlled phase. By no means does that mean the pandemic is over." His reasons include nearly 60% of the country's people — including almost 75% of children 11 and younger — now have antibodies to it in their blood. However Covid is not going away. "We're not going to eradicate this virus," Fauci said as he looked to the future and COVID-19's global reach. The best hope is to maintain the coronavirus at low levels of transmission and pursue intermittent vaccinations, Fauci said.  "That might be every year, that might be longer, in order to keep that level low. But, right now, we are not in the pandemic phase in this country."

3.EVENTS

APRIL 30 (SATURDAY): Got Drugs? Drug Take Back Day. Turn in expired and unused drugs from 10-2. Needles not accepted. No questions asked. Sites include Springfield, Weathersfield, Windsor and Ludlow Police Depts. Weathersfield Transfer Station The Ludlow Pharmacy and Ludlow Police Dept provide drop boxes for year round disposal.

-       Ludlow Rotary Penny Sale, 6 pm Black River High School Gym

MAY 2 (MONDAY): Grant applications for the Cavendish Community Fund are due. FMI: Douglas McBride at 226-7142 or Peter LaBelle at 226-7250.

MAY 7 (SATURDAY): Green Up Day

MAY 15 (SUNDAY): Town Taxes due

MAY 17 (TUESDAY): Fire District 2 (Cavendish Village) annual meeting, 7 pm at the Cavendish Fire Department.

MAY 20-21 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY): BRGN Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm on 103. 10-4.

MAY 27 (FRIDAY): 5-7 pm, Early Bird Cavendish Historical Society plant sale in front of the Museum

MAY 28 (SATURDAY): 9-noon: CHS Plant sale continues in front of the Museum.

MAY 30 (MONDAY): Memorial Day. Legal holiday. Town Office Closed

JUNE 1 (WEDNESDAY): CCCA’s Cavendish Calendar Photography Contest photographs are due today.  FMI: cavendishcommunityconservation@gmail.com.

JULY 30 (SATURDAY): Cavendish’s Annual Town Wide Tag Sale, 9-2.

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