Cavendish Update 12/23/22: SB Mtg/Emergency/Meals on Wheels/News
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12/23/22
1. Cavendish Emergency Information
2. Cavendish Select Board meeting
3. Cavendish Info
4. Meals on Wheels New for Cavendish
5. Covid/Flu update
6. Events
Transfer Station Closed on Christmas and New Year’s.
1. CAVENDISH EMERGENCY INFORMATION: Though we’re in the midst of another serious storm, please consider the following:
• Read and bookmark the Emergency Preparedness section of the Cavendish Connects Website. It contains phone numbers and contact information
• Download the app for Green Mountain Power or bookmark the outage website and Facebook page.
A Warming Station is already in place at the Cavendish Baptist Church, 2258 Main St., providing snacks, hot beverages, water, free WiFi, a place to charge electronic devices, and/or take a hot shower. Use the side entrance, the door closest to the parking lot. You do not need to go downstairs, as the beverages and other items are to the left of you as you enter the building.
Depending on duration of outages, hot meals may be offered along with other activities. Emergency information is posted regularly to the Cavendish Facebook page.
The Warming Station/shelter is open to all, including those working to restore power and first responders.
Note that as of 7:20 AM, over 20,000 GMP customers are without power. As the wind picks up in our area, we expect to see that number significantly increase.
PLEASE CHECK ON NEIGHBORS
2. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 12/19/22: Okemo Valley TV tapes all Select Board (SB) meetings, which can be seen at their website. In addition, unapproved minutes have been posted to the Town’s website.
Approved at Monday night’s meeting:
• Josh Temple as the new town auditor until Town Meeting in March.
• Stu Lindberg as replacement of Bob Evens on the Cavendish Fire District #2 Prudential Committee (Cavendish Village) until the May 2023 Annual Meeting
• The formation of a town ARPA committee, which will plan how to use the $421,526 federal relief funds
• Adoption of a “Declaration of Inclusion”
• Updates to the Town’s Emergency Management Plan
• A first class liquor license (wine and beer) to The Crow Food Hall LLC, located on Depot St.
Items discussed
• Windsor County Sheriff’s Contract: Currently Cavendish pays for 12 hours per week of a sheriff’s time, primarily for traffic control. The fees for this service, are largely offset by ticket revenue. Ryan Palmer is the newly elected sheriff for Windsor County and town manager Brendan McNamara has already been meeting with him. The big picture of the sheriff’s office is to provide more of a “service package” versus just so many hours a week. They would be able to respond to civil matters, as all too often the VT State Police are not available. The cost for more of a police presence would be considerably more expensive-$60,000-$90,000 versus the current budget of around $18,000. Palmer will be invited to the SB to discuss contracts and services.
• Energy Plan: While the SB recently approved the inclusion of an energy section to the town plan, Etienne Ting, chair of the Planning Commission was on hand to discuss the current activities of the Commission. Currently, the members are having to review the 2022 Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan This is a 305 page document, which the proposed energy section would reference, thereby making the town, and anyone applying for an Act 250 or Section 248 permit subject to it. Ting was clear that the commissioners didn’t want to approve something that could potentially harm the town. While the Commissioners are still reviewing the document, SB member George Timko pointed out that the role of the Planning Commission was to carry out the wishes of the SB (in this case to adopt an energy policy) and if they were unable to do so, the SB had the right to replace them. Sandra Russo, a SB member and former member of the Planning Commission, noted that Ting was an excellent chair and planning commissioner and if he had concerns, the SB needed to listen carefully and review the VT Comprehensive Energy Plan.
• Budget Planning: Budget hearings will take place in January on Mondays and Wednesdays. The first meeting will be Jan.11 (Wednesday) at 6 pm at the cavendish Town Office. The public is invited to attend these meetings.
• Town Meeting: The plan is to once again offer a hybrid meeting-in person and by zoom. McNamara will be talking to Okemo Valley TV about the Zoom capabilities.
• Town Managers Report: Discussed recent storm, the breakdown of the sidewalk tractor, the need to replace it and to hire someone to clean the sidewalks if the tractor cannot be repaired.
• Petitions for Elected Positions: Anyone interested in running for an elected position in March, needs to pick up a petition from the town office.
3. CAVENDISH INFO
• Ex-teacher at school in Chester reaches plea deal, faces 10 years for possessing child sex-abuse materials: A former teacher at Green Mountain Union High School in Chester has pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials and faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced next year. Norman Merrill II, 46, of Chester entered his guilty plea to the federal charge Tuesday during a video hearing held by U.S. District Court in Burlington. His plea deal with prosecutors calls for Judge Christina Reiss to impose the prison term and a lifetime of supervised release. VT Digger Chester Telegraph’s article.
• Ludlow Police Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting The Vermont Attorney General’s Office Thursday announced the conclusions of their independent review into the shooting of Cavendish resident Michael Mills, 35, by Ludlow Police Ofc. Zachary Paul. Despite efforts by police to de-escalate, the reports says Mills continued to be uncooperative. It says Of. Paul fired his weapon after seeing Mills reposition the gun on his lap toward him. The report concludes that the use of force by Ofc. Paul was “objectively reasonable and justified.” VT Digger
• Winter Storm: The snow storm of last Friday, Dec. 9 left many Green Mountain Power (GMP) Cavendish customers without power, over 300, ranging from a few hours to five days. Friday’s storm was one of the most damaging in recent decades due to the combination of the warm temperatures and heavy snowfall. A Warming Shelter was made available Saturday morning and remained open until Monday night at the Cavendish Baptist Church. The town’s side walk cleaner broke down (transmission) just as the storm was heating up on Friday afternoon. Thank you to all who responded to neighbors and friends needs as well as Cavendish road crew, fire and rescue, town office, the shelter team, and to the GMP power crews that worked round the clock.
• John Sinclair DDS: Known to many in Cavendish, the dentist, Dr. John Sinclair died on Dec. 14. His obituary is available on-line.
• Ludlow Subway has reopened: The Subway renovations have been completed and have reopened. Hours of operation for the holidays are as follows: Friday 23rd 10am to 9pm; Saturday Xmas eve- 10am -7pm; Christmas - Closed ; 10am to 9pm after Xmas. (Actually might be going back to 9am-9pm after Jan 1. )
• Vermont's Mobile Phone Coverage Report December 2022: A new report from the Vermont Department of Public Service that measured the extent of mobile wireless service across Vermont found big gaps in coverage in rural areas. State employees drove more than 6,000 miles this summer to test cell service along roads. The report shows that the more populated regions have very strong and stable data service, and that data service has improved since the state did a similar test in 2018.
• Dartmouth Coach bus from Upper Valley to NYC struck by gunfire in Connecticut VT Digger
4. MEALS ON WHEELS/DRIVERS FOR CAVENDISH: As of Jan. 4th, Black River Good Neighbors (BRGN) will be providing Meals on Wheels (MOW) for Cavendish. Meals will be prepared by various local restaurants, and taken to a designated hub in Cavendish each week. Wednesday is the targeted day. Cavendish Delivery Drivers are needed. If you are interested, please contact Krey at BRGN. A background check is required. FMI: 802-228-3663 or brgoodneighbors@gmail.com
5. COVID/FLU: For local information on Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.
Prevent Flu & Covid:
- Vaccinate. Vaccination clinics nearby for Covid and Flu-Fridays at Riverside Middle School in Springfield; 3-6pm, no appointment needed. Shots are free
- Wear a mask in crowded places, particularly in doors;
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, throw the tissue away, and wash your hands immediately;
- Avoid close contact with those confirmed or suspected of having the flu, COVID-19. Stay at home and away from others when you are sick
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing, coughing or using the bathroom and before eating
Free Covid Test kits/masks & hand sanitizer: Available Monday-Friday at the Cavendish Fire Dept from 9-4. For weekends and off hours, call 802-226-7807. Also pick up free masks and sanitizer when picking up a test kit. Masks and hand sanitizer are available 24/7, 365 at the CHS Cares Closet, next to the steps of the Museum. Items are on the top upper left hand shelf.
Schools: No cases this past week at CTES or GMUHS
Vermont Covid Surveillance Report 12/11-12/17: Reports low community levels statewide with the exception of Rutland, Orleans, Lamoille, Caledonia and Bennington counties that are rated as medium. Hospitalizations are double what they were two weeks ago. One Covid outbreak was reported for Windsor County. There have been 10 deaths reported for December.
Vermont Flu Surveillance Report 12/4-12/10: Reports VT as having high levels of flu statewide. Two outbreaks have been reported in Windsor County
6. EVENTS
DECEMBER 24 (SATURDAY): Christmas Eve. Services: St. James Methodist in Proctorsville 4.45 pm
DECEMBER 25 (SUNDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 26 (MONDAY): Town office closed for Christmas holiday
DECEMBER 31 (SATURDAY): New Year’s Eve
JANUARY 1 (SUNDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR!
JANUARY 2 (MONDAY): Town office closed for New Year’s
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