Cavendish Update 8/25/23: Flood/permits/News/Events

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The Best of Vermont Summer Festival takes place Saturday (12-7)  & Sunday  (10-4) at the Okemo Field in Ludlow.           

First day of school is Wednesday, August 30. Please use caution when driving.         

8/25/23

1. Flood Information

2. Flood Permits Required

3. Cavendish Related News

4. Events

1. FLOOD INFORMATION: To help those impacted by the flood, be they property owner, renter, or business, the Cavendish Guide for Flood Recovery is available on-line. Please share with neighbors and friends who may be too busy to notice it. It’s regularly updated, sometimes daily, with new resources as they become available.

Efficiency Vermont announces $36 million to help homeowners, renters, businesses recover from floods: Starting on Sept. 5, income-eligible Vermonters and businesses impacted by the catastrophic summer floods can apply for funding through Efficiency Vermont to replace home heating and water systems, along with other appliances. The programs are an expansion of a previously announced program in which the state allowed the energy efficiency utility to redirect $10 million that was awarded for weatherization projects toward grants for Vermonters to replace damaged or destroyed appliances and equipment.  The funding, available to residential applicants with low and moderate incomes, is based on annual income and the median area income of an applicant’s home county. VT Digger

Before you Rebuild Make sure it’s dry: It takes about a month for wood to dry out after flooding. If you looking to rebuild and want to check moisture levels, the Ludlow Library is now loaning a Tavool Moisture Meter for up to four days. A reading at or below 17% is considered suitable dry enough for rebuilding.

2. FLOOD PERMITS REQUIRED: A Flood Permit Application is required if you are doing repair work or new construction on properties located within a Cavendish flood zone. Any of the proposed requires a permit: new principal structure; new accessory structure; alterations/improvements/repairs to an existing structure; grading, excavation and/or placement of fill; replacement water supply or septic system; fill as needed to elevate an existing structure; bridge/culvert or channel management activities; and/or road improvements.   For more information please contact the Town Manager at 802.226.7291.

Flood Permit Application

Flood Permit Checklist

Flood Permit Cost Estimator

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Immediate Job Opening: Cavendish Town Elementary School is looking for an organized, detailed oriented professional to work as a Head Custodian in our Elementary School. In this full time position you will be responsible for the maintenance and custodial duties in the school. Broad, in-depth training and experience in Plumbing, HVAC and electricity is required. This position includes hands-on repair work, supervising a team, as well as coordinating and overseeing work done by outside contractors. The ability to keep detailed, accurate records ensuring compliance with all local, state and federal agencies is required. The candidate must be congenial; able to work well with others including children. This is a full tine position paying $45,000 to $48,000.  Contact Dale Mann, Principal, Box 236 Proctorsville, Vermont 05153
Phone: 802-875-7758 Fax: 802-226-7312 Email: Dale.Mann@trsu.org

• Cavendish member objects to GM board changes to Zoom meetings:  At the August 17 meeting of the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUHS) Board, Cavendish resident Lisa Sanders was approved as the replacement for Dennis Riley, who resigned months ago, once again giving the town its three representatives to this board. Chairperson Deb Brown announced that she had made a decision that anyone who watched the meetings via Zoom, would no longer be allowed to speak, including board members, who would not be allowed to vote. Cavendish rep Kate Lamphere said the decision was made unilaterally, without discussion or input from the community. Brown defended the decision, saying, “No, that’s the way the board was before Covid, that’s how the board operated. So that was just going back to the practice.” Lamphere countered, saying that no town should benefit from access more than others. In the past, the board has met at each of its three schools on a round robin basis, but in the last few years – due in part to the audio visual access provided by Zoom, almost all meetings have been held in Chester. Chester Telegraph

• Thank you CCCA and Sponsors: In spite of flooding, constant rain and having to change venues, the Wednesday night summer concert series at Svec Park, organized and sponsored by the Cavendish Community Conservation Association (CCCA), was a wonderful success. Thank you to CCCA and the many sponsors who keep this tradition going. If there ever was a summer where people needed a break, this was certainly one.

• Tree removal-thank you Mike Plunkard: Mike Plunkard, former CTES alum, took down the large pine tree next to the Universalist "Stone" Church on Thursday. Given that the tree was losing large limbs and just missed the church in the March snow/ice storm, the Select Board agreed the tree needed to come down. Mike, who is the president and owner of Raincoast Arboriculture in British Columbia, had already made plans to visit his parents in Cavendish. His Dad, Stephen, a Cavendish select board member, suggested that Mike could easily remove the tree. Bringing his climbing gear, his brother Chris provided the chainsaws and his nephew Caleb acted as ground crew. It was amazing watching him remove the tree without endangering the church or the surrounding homes. Thank you Mike for sharing your talents with your home town.

• St. James United Methodist Church Fall Sale: On Saturday Sept. 2, from 9-2, St. James United Methodist Church, Main St., Proctorsville will be holding a sale featuring Granny’s Pantry (Fall treats from your grandmother’s kitchen) and a one day only raffle featuring a fall basket, wood burned welcome sign and handcrafted fall wreath.

• Work on 100-Detour: Crews will be closing VT 100 3.4 miles north of the intersection with VT 103 in Tyson village in the town of Ludlow, to replace a failing culvert. The road will be closed at the bridge over the culvert beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 28 and will reopen at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30. During the two days prior to and following the closure, lane closures may be in place while the contractor prepares for and completes final paving for the bridge.

4. EVENTS

AUGUST 30 (WEDNESDAY): First day of school. Please drive carefully.

SEPTEMBER 2 (SATURDAY): Fall Sale from 9-2 at St. James United Methodist Church, Main St., Proctorsville. The sale features Granny’s Pantry (Fall treats from your grandmother’s kitchen) and a one day only raffle featuring a fall basket, wood burned welcome sign and handcrafted fall wreath.

SEPTEMBER 4 (MONDAY): Town Office closed for Labor Day

SEPTEMBER 9 (SATURDAY): Vermont Golden Honey Festival at the Golden Stage Inn (103 and Depot Street) Proctorsville. 10-4.

SEPTEMBER 14 (WEDNESDAY): Magic Show and BBQ, Welcome back to the library. BBQ from 5-7, Magic Show at 6

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Cavendish Update 8/18/23: SB Mtg/Flood/News/Events

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8/18/23

1. Flood Information

2. Select Board Meeting

3. Cavendish Related News

4. Events

1. FLOOD INFORMATION: To help those impacted by the flood, be they property owner, renter, or business,  the Cavendish Guide for Flood Recovery is available on-line. Please share with neighbors and friends who may be too busy to notice it. It’s regularly updated, sometimes daily, with new resources as they become available.

CHS Summer Newsletter: The web version of the Cavendish Historical Society’s newsletter contains more pictures of the flooding.

Clean Up Day: Modeled after Green Up Day, Volunteers will be deployed to areas hit hard by this summer’s flooding and address needs reported by communities. Local leaders can report their cleanup requests to Green Up’s website. The event takes place on Aug. 26 (Saturday).

Efficiency VT Video: THIS IS A MUCH WATCH VIDEO FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE FLOOD. On Aug. 10, Efficiency VT did a Zoom webinar that provided answers to many of the questions being asked since the July 10 flooding, from weatherization, dealing with basements in a flood plain, how to handle mechanicals etc. This presentation is now on-line and very well done. NOTE: EFFICIENCY VT WILL HAVE A SPECIAL PROGRAM AND FUNDING STARTING IN SEPTEMBER. Please share with neighbors and friends who've been impacted. Building Back a Stronger and Safer Cavendish.

Attorney General Clark brings warning about recovery scams to southern Vermont: “Scammers are looking for the easiest way to steal your money,” Clark said in an interview. “Natural disasters present new ways to do that, and we anticipated an uptick in scams” when Vermont was repeatedly hit by floods. A representative for Clark’s office said they have received nearly 50 consumer complaints, in the five weeks since the initial devastation. Chester Telegraph

Small Business Administration Loans Information Session 8.23.23: A representative from the Small Business Administration Loans Program will be at the Cavendish Town Office on Wednesday from 2:00 - 4:30 pm to answer questions.  SBA Loans are available to business, home owners and renters - please see flyers below for more information.

SBA for Businesses

SBA for Home Owners/Renters

USDA Single Family Home Loans/Grants

2. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 8/14/23: Watch Select Board (SB) meetings at Okemo Valley TV website. Unapproved minutes are available at the Cavendish Town website.

John Arrison, Cavendish’s State representation to the VT Legislature, talked to the board about changes in Vermont’s property reappraisals. Expensive procedures, Cavendish completed one in 2019 but is now being required to do another, most likely due to the Covid real estate boom. This can be appealed, and it was Arrison’s recommendation that the town do so as long as possible as he thought on a statewide reappraisal program was in the works. .

Items discussed/acted on were as follows:

Flood

• The Local Hazardous Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and Emergency Management Plan (EMP): Both plans have been submitted to the state. A FEMA-approved LHMP is required for local governments that wish to receive federal funds from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The LHMP is also one of the mitigation actions needed to qualify for additional post-disaster funding through the Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF). Rick Chambers, town manager, said that the ERAF rating is now at 17.5% (it was previously 7.5%) so the Town will receive an additional 10% state funding for flood repairs.

The final draft of Cavendish’s LHMP is required by the end of September. The current draft is available at the town website.

• Flood Hazard Area Regulations (FHAR): While Cavendish has had FHAR in place for some time, enforcement has been another matter. These regs are a requirement to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, which the town does. .Moving forward, property will need to adhere to these regs and if they don’t, it could jeopardize property owners’ ability to have flood insurance.

• Roads: The initial five crews working in Cavendish to restore roads, are down to two, with nearly all roads open with the exception of Bailey Hill, Depot St., and Chaos Turnpike. Work will begin shortly on Depot St. The closure from 106 to Chubb Hill is a state project and still in effect. The town manager, Chambers, had no information on when it would be open.

• Greven Field: As this is town property, Chambers plans to hire a contractor & dumpster to remove the major debris, e.g. fencing, from Greven Field, after which, volunteers can follow with additional cleaning. Questions were asked about the future of Greven as a ballfield, while recognizing its more frequently used for walking dogs and nature trails The SB will make that decision once it’s been cleaned, recognizing that playing fields need to meet FEMA standards.

Approved Liquor licenses for Golden Stage Inn (Honey Festival) and Singleton’s Car-B-Q, August 19 from 11-3.

 Disapproved  Signing solar bond note: Chambers felt that better interests rates were available and more information would be available in the next day or two

 Academy Building: Chris Chadwick is interested in purchasing the Academy Building-corner of 131 and High St.-but had a number of questions about restrictions on the deed. Chambers said he will forward Chadwick’s questions to the board for review and discussion.

3. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Cavendish Concerts Continue 2023 Season with Bill Brink: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and the Town of Cavendish announce that singer/songwriter Bill Brink will perform the next concert of the 2023 season at 5:30 p.m. on August 23rd on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. This concert had been postponed after the recent floods. Please note the earlier than usual start time. The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and the Town of Cavendish announce that singer/songwriter Bill Brink will perform the next concert of the 2023 season at 5:30 p.m. on August 23rd on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. This concert had been postponed after the recent floods. Please note the earlier than usual start time.

• VT Golden Honey Festival: Once again the VT Honey Festival takes place on Sept. 9 (Saturday) from 10-4 at the Golden Stage Inn (Route 103 and Depot St). Sammy Blanchette will be providing live music and Goodman’s pizza truck will be dishing out their famous fall pizza. Follow their Facebook page to learn about the vendors for this year.

• Vermont Records its 1,000th Covid Death: Vermont has reached a grim new milestone in the Covid pandemic. The state has recorded 1,001 deaths from the virus since March 2020, according to data released this week by the Vermont Department of Health. Four of those deaths were reported in August. Statewide hospital admissions related to Covid rose to 25 in the past week, a distinct increase but still far below previous peaks of the virus. VT Journal

• It's not your imagination: There are more mosquitoes in Vermont this summer.

4. EVENTS

AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY)-19 (SATURDAY): Community Build playground at CTES. Need volunteers. No skills required. Refreshments & Lunch Provided. FMI: 802-548-7419

AUGUST 23 (WEDNESDAY): A representative from the Small Business Administration Loans Program will be at the Cavendish Town Office from 2:00 - 4:30 pm to answer questions.  SBA Loans are available to business, home owners and renters.

• Brill Brinks Wednesday Night Concert at Svec Park. Begins at 5:30.

AUGUST 24 (THURSDAY): 1ST Quarter Property Taxes due.

SEPTEMBER 4 (MONDAY): Town Office closed for Labor Day

SEPTEMBER 9 (SATURDAY): Vermont Golden Honey Festival at the Golden Stage Inn (103 and Depot Street) Proctorsville. 10-4. Website.

SEPTEMBER 14 (WEDNESDAY): Magic Show and BBQ, Welcome back to the library. BBQ from 5-7, Magic Show at 6

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 8/11/23 Flood/News/Events

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

8/11/23

1. Flood Information

2. Cavendish information

3. Events

1. FLOOD INFORMATION: To help those impacted by the flood, be they property owner, renter, or business,  the Cavendish Guide for Flood Recovery is available on-line. Please share with neighbors and friends who may be too busy to notice it. It’s regularly updated, sometimes daily, with new resources as they become available.

Vermont Emergency Eats Program (VEE): is a flood response program targeted to feed disrupted populations in flood ravaged communities. People in Ludlow, Cavendish, Plymouth, Weston and Londonderry can sign up to receive meal vouchers for every member of their household that can be exchanged for a VEE meal at participating restaurants. Each resident can receive 1-2 meal vouchers each for up to seven days. Check in once every week of August to get another week's worth of vouchers. The program will run through 8/31/2023. To register for your vouchers go to Black River Good Neighbors in Ludlow M-F, from 10-4. Vermont Emergency Eats is brought to you locally courtesy of FEMA, Governor Phil Scott, multiple state agencies, SEVCA, the Springfield Family Center and Chester Helping Hands.

Do you need help navigating FEMA applications and insurance claims? Free legal services are now available from volunteers at the Vermont Bar Association and the Vermont Law and Graduate School. The organizations are also offering services to small business owners who have questions about leases on unusable properties, and other flood-related issues. Flood survivors in need of legal services can sign up for the program by visiting the Vermont Bar Association’s website.

Vermont Realtors Funds: There are two different pots of money from Vermont Realtors for relief efforts. Check and see if one of them is right for you. As always please share with neighbors and friends, who've been impacted but may not be on-line.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Meet the GMUHS Principal and Asst. Principal: Meet the new principal and assistant principal, hear about our goals for the 2023-2024 school year, and ask us questions on Aug. 16, from 5-6:30 p.m., in the Green Mountain Union High School library. Parents and guardians may also be able to pick up their child’s laptop and class schedule. Snacks and refreshments will be served. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our vision for Green Mountain!

• The Silverbacks to perform in Proctorsville: The Town of Cavendish and the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association invite everyone to spend an evening listening to the sounds of The Silverbacks at the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m., weather permitting. Based in Brandon, Vt., the Silverbacks mix authentic blues and rock classics, managing to sound fresh and familiar at the same time. At the root of nearly all classic rock songs is the blues. This concert is sponsored by the Holy Name of Mary Altar Society. 

3. EVENTS

AUGUST 14 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board August Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. Agenda will be posted when received.

AUGUST 16 (WEDNESDAY): Summer Concerts at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) starting at 6 pm. The Silverbacks will perform. Concerts are free and open to the public.

AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY): Gloria Leven’s 100th birthday party at the Cavendish Library, 5 pm. BBQ, cake, live jazz music etc.

AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY)-19 (SATURDAY): Community Build playground at CTES. Need volunteers. No skills required. Refreshments & Lunch Provided. FMI: 802-548-7419

SEPTEMBER 14 (WEDNESDAY): Magic Show and BBQ, Welcome back to the library. BBQ from 5-7, Magic Show at 6

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 8/4/23: Advocacy/Flood/Job/News/Events

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS                   

                   FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT TODAY FROM NOON UNTIL 9 PM.

8/4/23

1. Flood Information

2. Job Opening

3. Cavendish information

4. Events

1. FLOOD INFORMATION: To help those impacted by the flood, be they property owner or renter,  the Cavendish Guide for Flood Recovery is now available on-line. Please share with neighbors and friends who may be too busy to notice it. It will be regularly updated with new resources as they become available.

A Mennonite work crew will be arriving on 8/7 for the week and will be housed at the Cavendish Baptist Church. If you need mud and debris clean-up, mold remediation, or drywall removal please call Adam at 518-701-0002.

If you have questions and concerns, you can e-mail them to cavendishconnects@gmail.com

How to advocate for yourself & Others: Advocating for yourself or someone else, is key to navigating the labyrinth of services, payors, ever changing state and federal laws, products etc. when trying to rebuild after a devastating crisis like the July Floods. Below are five things to consider:

A) Do the research: Read the Cavendish Guide for Flood Recovery so that you’ll know what steps to take and where to get assistance, be it for immediate needs and/or longer term. Knowing who does what can help prepare you for dealing with FEMA and other organizations. It’s also helpful to follow the Cavendish VT Facebook page as new opportunities are posted as soon as they are received.

B) Ask Questions: There is no bad or wrong questions. Write questions down before you meet with your insurance adjuster, FEMA rep etc. Ask questions until you get the answers you need. Note, when dealing with FEMA, it’s best to do it in person whether it’s filing your initial application or appealing a claim. FEMA now has Disaster Recovery Centers at the Springfield Health Center 100 River St. and the ASA Bloomer Building at 88 Merchants Row in Rutland, Both are open seven days a week from 8 am-7 pm.

C) Keep Detailed Records: Use a notebook, your phone, or whatever device you are comfortable with. Don’t just leave documentation and paperwork in the hands of your insurance agent, FEMA etc. They can easily get it wrong.  Keep track of the following types of information: hours spent cleaning and associated costs; names of people you are meeting with; policy numbers; claim numbers; answers to questions; anything mailed or given to you regarding your situation.

D) Ask someone to be your advocate: It’s completely overwhelming to try to muck out a basement, take care of kids, along with working and the other activities of daily living. What happens next? What do I need? Who do I talk to? What questions should I ask? Most of us have a hard time keeping track of things when we’re in the midst of a crisis. If you find yourself in this situation,  ask a trusted friend, neighbor, community member or family member to help you by: keeping notes; being present when you deal with FEMA, insurance adjustors, contractors and service providers; doing research on options you might want to consider-such as replacing lost appliances to who to hire for needed repairs ;  assist you in making choices and decisions; and help in organizing work crews and other activities that will make things easier for you.

E) Ask for Help: It’s not a sign of weakness or incompetence. People can’t help if they don’t know it’s needed. Assistance isn’t  always readily offered in an effort to respect others’ privacy. While there is a lot of spontaneous help happening, the majority of it occurs only after a request has been made. Know that asking for help enables kindness and unlocks opportunities for positive social connections. 

2. JOB OPENING TOWN OFFICE CAVENDISH: The Town of Cavendish has an immediate opening for a part- time Town Office position. This is an exciting opportunity for the right applicant. Must be able to communicate well with staff and the public. Applicants should have excellent computer skills. Must be able to work independently on assigned tasks with the ability to multitask in a busy office setting.

Applications, resumes and inquiries should be directed to: Town Manager, Town of Cavendish Municipal Building, 37 High Street, P.O. Box 126 Cavendish, Vermont 05142, (802) 226-7291

3. CAVENDISH INFO

• Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Meeting Minutes: On Monday, a public meeting was held to take public comments on Cavendish’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan update. Cavendish’s plan expired about a year ago and needs to be updated to get maximum reimbursement for the recent flood damages. VT Emergency Management has given the Town 30 days to submit a preliminary draft that meets FEMA criteria FEMA. Minutes from the meeting are available at the Town’s website.

• Crown Point Road Association is hosting a guided outing in Cavendish, Saturday,12th.  We will visit CPRA markers 24 through 29. Highlights will include a short, uphill hike from marker 29 to the grave of an unknown soldier, a visit to Coffeen Cemetery (marker 29 A) where local historian Margo Caulfield will share some history and another short, uphill hike to the Old Cemetery (marker 27).  We will pass period homes and cellar holes and learn some genealogy of early settlers. Meet at the Cavendish Historical Society for a 10:00 am departure. Please carpool where possible as parking is limited along the roads. Sturdy walking shoes, bug spray and water are recommended. FMI: Lonnie Lisai for more information lonnielisai@gmail.com

• Gloria Leven’s 100th Birthday Party Rescheduled: Gloria’s 100th Birthday Party is back on!  Please join us at the library on Thursday August 17th at 5pm for BBQ, cake, live jazz music, and a raffle of two quilts made by Gloria.

• Residents voice concerns at Ludlow Electric board meeting VT Journal

• Yankee Chank to Play Aug. 9: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and the Town of Cavendish present another in the continuing series of Wednesday evening concerts on Aug. 9, at 6 p.m., when Yankee Chank will appear on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville, weather permitting. This concert is sponsored by Murdock’s on the Green Restaurant. Yankee Chank is a Vermont group that performs traditional Cajun music from the heart of southwest Louisiana. 

• Singleton’s Third Generation New Owners: On August 1, the ownership of Singleton’s has passed to Dan and Alison Singleton. Congratulations and the best of luck.

4. EVENTS

AUGUST 4 (FRIDAY): Cartoonist Marek Bennett at the Cavendish Library, registration is required for this event. FMI and to Register 802-226-7503 or e-mail cavendishlibrary@gmail.com

AUGUST 9 (WEDNESDAY): Summer Concerts at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) starting at 6 pm. Yankee Chank will perform. Concerts are free and open to the public.

AUGUST 16 (WEDNESDAY): Summer Concerts at Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) starting at 6 pm. The Silverbacks will perform. Concerts are free and open to the public.

AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY): Gloria Leven’s 100th birthday party at the Cavendish Library, 5 pm. BBQ, cake, live jazz music etc.

AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY)-19 (SATURDAY): Community Build playground at CTES. Need volunteers. No skills required. Refreshments & Lunch Provided. FMI: 802-548-7419

SEPTEMBER 14 (WEDNESDAY): Magic Show and BBQ, Welcome back to the library. BBQ from 5-7, Magic Show at 6

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS