Cavendish Update 2/9/24: Town Mtg/News/Events

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2/9/24

1. Cavendish Town Meeting Warning

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Events

1. CAVENDISH TOWN MEETING WARNING: Mondav March 4th 2024 at Seven (7:00) PM. The legal voters of the Town of Cavendish, in the County of Windsor, are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Cavendish Town Elementary School or via Zoom on Monday, March 4th, 2024, at seven (7:00) o'clock pm and at the Proctorsville Fire Department at ten (10:00) o'clock in the forenoon on Tuesday the 5' day of March 2024 to transact the following business.

Tuesday, March 5th. 2024 by Australian Ballot.  The polls open at Ten (10:00) o'clock AM and close at Seven (7) PM.

Article 1: To elect Town Officers for the ensuing year [by Australian Ballot]

Article 2: To see if the town will vote to collect all taxes on Real and Personal Property, for which it has statutory taxing authority in installments. Taxes collected by the Town are to be paid to the treasurer on August 15th. November 15th, February 15t and May 15 with interest of one (1) percent per month added to any lax principal balances due and not paid by the quarterlv due date. The final due date tor all tax principal balances is the 15th day of June after which they shall become delinquent and are subject to an eight (8, percent penalty in addition to the interest. If a payment due date falls upon a day that the treasurer's office is officially closed, payments then due will be accepted without penalty or interest added if received by 4:30 PM the next business day. Amounts allocated to current year taxes under the State of Vermont's Homestead Property Tax Income Sensitivity Program shall be applied to the taxpayers property tax installments pro rata (total adjustment divided equally between all quarterly installments) ir accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 6066a(N)(1). [by Australian Ballot]

Article 3: Will the voters adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Town Budget as proposed by the Board of Selectmen in the amount of $2,456,889.39 [by Australian Ballot]

Article 4: Shall the voters of the Town of Cavendish authorize cannabis retailers to operate in town pursuant to 7 V.S.A. § 863. [by Australian Ballot]

Article 5: Shall the Town adopt all future Town Budgets by Australian Ballot. [by Australian Ballot]

Article 6: Shall the Town vote on all future public questions by Australian Ballot. [by Australian Ballot]

Article 7: To see if the voters of the Town of Cavendish will authorize the Selectman to exempt the Black River Health Center, a 501C non-profit corporation, from all taxes on real and personal property for the next five (5) years on its building and lot in the Cavendish Village. By Request [by Australian Ballot]

Article 8: Shall the voters of the Town of Cavendish exempt the lands and improvements of Fletcher Farm Foundation from real estate taxes for a period of five (5) years commencing with the 2024-2025 tax year bv Petition [bv Australian Ballot]

Article 9: Shall the voters of the Town of Cavendish authorize the Selectmen to exempt the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department from all taxes on real and personal property for the next five (5) years: [bv Australian Ballot]

Article 10: Shall the voters of the Town of Cavendish authorize the Selectmen to exempt the Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department from all taxes on real and personal property for the next five (5) years. [by Australian Ballot]

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• TRSU board picks OSSD Super Millington as new superintendent: After interviewing two candidates and after nearly 90 minutes of deliberation, the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Board voted 4-2 on Thursday night to offer the job of superintendent to Layne Millington, who currently is superintendent with the Orange Southwest Supervisory District, based in the town of Randolph. Millington will replace Lauren Fierman, who resigned during the Green Mountain Union High School mascot controversy. Chester Telegraph VT Journal

• Draft Subdivision Regulations: The Cavendish Planning Commission is working on a set of Subdivision Regulations for the Town of Cavendish. The Draft Subdivision Regulations can be viewed by clicking here.

• Planning Commission Appeal Hearing Minutes January 3, 2024: Included discussion of Short Term Rentals and a review of the 2nd draft for proposed subdivision regulations.

• Mack invests in new plastic injection molding presses for Cavendish plant: Mack Molding, a leading custom plastic injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services, announced today the Company has expanded the press fleet at its Cavendish, Vermont, facility. Vermont Biz

• AARP free local tax preparation: Beginning Feb. 2 and continuing through April 12, AARP Foundation provides free individual tax assistance and preparation for low-to-moderate-income taxpayers, especially those 50 years old and older. However, all ages are welcome. Click here for locations. VT Journal

• Skiers hit the slopes as Ludlow recovers from flooding: This article indicates that Shaws is tentatively scheduled to reopen at the end of June. WCAX

• Phil Scott signs law to ease tax burden of flood-hit municipalities: The legislation, which would reimburse municipalities for some of the cost of abated property taxes, is the first major bill that Scott has signed in 2024. VT Digger /

3. EVENTS

FEBRUARY 12 (MONDAY): Monthly Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. This meeting will begin with an informational meeting on the town’s draft Hazardous Mitigation Plan.

FEBRUARY 13 (TUESDAY): Mardi Gras

FEBRUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

FEBRUARY 15 (THURSDAY): Quarterly Property Taxes due

FEBRUARY 19 (MONDAY): President’s Day. Legal holiday town office and schools closed

FEBRUARY 19-23 (MONDAY-FRIDAY) Winter Break no school

MARCH 4 (MONDAY): Town meeting Day Cavendish Town Elementary School or via Zoom at seven (7:00) o'clock pm

MARCH 5 (TUESDAY): Voting takes place (includes both town and school budgets) 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.

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Cavendish Update 2/2/24: Magnets/Candidates/Hearts/Job/News/Events

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                              HAPPY GROUNDHOG’S DAY

2/2/24

1 Free Cavendish Disaster Information Magnets

2. Cavendish Candidates for March 5th Vote

3. Cavendish Rock Heart Hunt

4. Notice of Public Information Meeting: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

5. Job Posting

6.Cavendish Related News

7. Events

1. FREE CAVENDISH DISASTER INFORMATION MAGNETS: To help people who live, work and/or visit Cavendish (includes Proctorsville) in the event of a disaster-like this summer’s floods-Cavendish Connects has purchased “Cavendish Disaster Information” magnets. These provide the following information: Location of town shelter; where to go for current info; town office contact; the reminder to call 911 in an emergency and how to register for VT Alert.  These can be placed on refrigerator doors or other magnetic surfaces. This is particularly important if you have: rentals (short or long term); employees; children that could be home alone; and/or have visitors. 

The free magnets can be obtained at one of the following locations:

• Cavendish Post Office: 7:30-9:30 am and 3-5 pm

• Cavendish Fire Dept: Monday-Friday 9-4

• Cavendish Town Office: Monday-Friday 9-4:30 (closed from noon-1)

• Cavendish Library (Proctorsville): Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9-6

• Proctorsville Fire Dept.: Tuesday evenings 6-8 pm

If you are unable to pick up magnets and need to make other arrangements, e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call 802-226-7807.

Thank you to Stacia Spaulding for her assistance and to the supporters of Cavendish Connects for making this possible. 

2. CAVENDISH CANDIDATES FOR MARCH 5th VOTE: With petitions having been filed by January 29, Cavendish has only one race for elected town positions. Three people will be running for 2 slots for the one term position of select board member-Shannon Devereaux, Stuart Lindberg and David Norton.  All the rest either had no candidate (Auditor one 2 year term and one three year term; Library Trustee one 2 years of unexpired 5 year term; and Trustee of Public Funds one year of unexpired 3 year term) or just one person applied-Mike Ripley (Moderator and 3 year Select Board term); Joshua (Auditor-one year term); Theresa McNamara (Town Grand Juror); Jane Pixley Trustee of Public Funds 3 year term); Dave Gallagher (5 year term Library Trustee); Clair Berkman (one 3 years of unexpired 5 year term); and Lisa Sanders (GMUSD Director). Voting will take place at the Cavendish Fire Department on March 5 (Tuesday) from 10-7.

3. CAVENDISH ROCK HEART HUNT: Happy February and welcome to the Cavendish Historical Society's first ever "Rock Heart Hunt." In keeping with Valentine’s Day, CHS is sharing their love of history this February with a “find the heart” hunt at various historical spots in the two villages of Cavendish.

Ten hearts have been painted on rocks by Becky Plunkard. Using clues, available at the CHS blog, the hearts and take a picture and/or add a heart stone of your own to the places that mean the most to you. Please don’t move the rocks.

At the end of February, we’ll count how many additional heart stones have been added to find out which historic spots in town people most like to visit.

If you have questions, or having trouble with the clues, e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807.

4. NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING-LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE: The Town of Cavendish is updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose of this planning effort is to protect life, property, economy, quality of life, and environment of the Cavendish Community from naturally occurring hazards and disasters.

The Town will be holding a public meeting to present and seek comment from the local and regional communities on the Town of Cavendish 2023-2028 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft as part of their Selectboard Meeting agenda on Feb. 12 (Monday), 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

The Plan identifies natural hazards that are most impactful to the Cavendish community and includes Strategies and Actions to reduce vulnerabilities and potential risks to hazards such as flooding, erosion, extreme temperatures and winter storms. The public is encouraged to attend and share their thoughts as the effectiveness of this planning effort relies on local engagement.

The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC), will be presenting the draft plan and taking comments and questions. A copy of the Town of Cavendish 2023-2028 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan can be found HERE, and on the Town website. Hard copies can be found at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library and Town Office.

If you are interested but unable to attend you can provide your input, concerns, comments, and questions regarding this draft Plan via email to Cindy Ingersoll at cingersoll@marcvt.org or to Rick Chambers at cavtm@cavendishvt.org.

5. JOB POSTING: Temporary position at Commercial Radio in Cavendish doing inventory and online marketplace update and general office organization for an estimated 1-2 weeks. Pay is $18 an hour. Can provide lodging. FMI: Call 802-226-7582 or 239-340-5154.

6. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Cavendish Energy Committee Report Ending June 30, 2023

• Unapproved Minutes from the 1/25/24 Cavendish Select Board Meeting

• Water High Consumption Advisory: Water Conservation Notice – High Water Usage: While the leak has been found and things will return to normal shortly when reservoirs are filled back to the level needed.  The Water Department is asking for your cooperation - due to high water consumption, please limit unnecessary water usage and check your property for any possible water leaks.  Please contact the Town Office if you have any questions or concerns at (802)226-7292. 

• Soup Prep Day: On Feb 3 (Saturday), 3 pm at 2258 Main Street, the home of the Cavendish Shelter and the Cavendish Baptist Church The next community cooking event is all about soup. Ingredients are ready to be prepped and we'll have fun chopping them up and dividing them to take home, making cooking our next few soups easier.  Please bring your favorite soup recipes so we can all get some new ideas. Also bring your favorite prep knife and a donation for the ingredients. We will have onions, carrots, celery, squash and peppers.

• CTES Sock Drive: Mrs. Plunkard and The Cavendish Town Elementary School's (CTES) Respect Club have organized a Sock Drive. Collecting socks off ALL SIZES! Please consider donating new or gently used socks. Donations can be dropped off at CTES between 7:45am and 3:00pm. All of the socks are going to be donated to local families.

• GMUHS, District Settle Lawsuit Alleging they Mishandled Bullying After a Rape Allegation: Five sisters who sued Green Mountain Union High School administrators, the school board and the school district in 2019 for failing to protect them against harassment reached a $300,000 settlement in January. VT Digger

• 5 tips for viewing the 2024 solar eclipse in Vermont: Cavendish is not in the path of totality. Burlington will experience the total solar eclipse first, from about 3:26 to 3:29 p.m. on April 8. From there, the path of totality will travel diagonally past Montpelier, hitting the Northeast Kingdom at about 3:30 p.m. But areas south of the path of totality – including Barre, Rutland, Bennington and Brattleboro — will experience a partial solar eclipse, according to NASA. The sun’s corona will not be visible, but the sky is still predicted to become darker and the sun would look like a crescent when viewed through safety equipment. VT Digger

7. EVENTS

FEBRUARY 3 (SATURDAY): Soup Prep, 3 pm at the Cavendish Shelter/Baptist Church. See above for more information.

FEBRUARY 7 (WEDNESDAY): Public hearing on an enhanced energy chapter of the town plan,  6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

FEBRUARY 12 (MONDAY): Monthly Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. This meeting will begin with an informational meeting on the town’s draft Hazardous Mitigation Plan.

FEBRUARY 13 (TUESDAY): Mardi Gras

FEBRUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

FEBRUARY 15 (THURSDAY): Quarterly Property Taxes due

FEBRUARY 19 (MONDAY): President’s Day. Legal holiday town office and schools closed

FEBRUARY 19-23 (MONDAY-FRIDAY) Winter Break no school

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Letter to Fire District # 2 (Cavendish)

January 26, 2024

To the taxpayers of Cavendish Fire District 2:

I am writing to keep you updated on the good work being performed by the responders of Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department.  In 2023 our members responded to 106 emergency calls. The majority of these calls were medical in nature.  We currently have 11 responders in our department which include two Advanced EMT's, one paramedic, one Vermont  Emergency First Responder and 8 volunteer firefighters that are trained in basic First Aid and CPR. We continue to train in house and attend outside training events as they become available.

During the extreme flooding in July the dry hydrant behind Mack Molding was rendered inoperable. I have applied for a grant from the state to repair the hydrant. It should be replaced as soon as the weather permits.  In late December a state EMS inspector came to the station for an unannounced inspection of our Rescue Squad readiness preparedness. I am very pleased to announce that we passed the inspection. 

The Cavendish Fire District 2 committee continues to work on the long process of obtaining the MERP(Municipal Weatherization Resilience Program) grant. They are in the late stages of this process. This grant will allow us to bring the building into ADA  compliance and continue to reduce our energy usage substantially.  The district applied for and obtained a mini grant from the state to do an ADA assessment on the station building. With the assistance of Peter Labelle and Martha Harrision we contracted with Tom Bursey Designs  Pllc of Burlington to do this work.  Tom came to the station on October 20. The design report is attached.  The upgrade of the building to ADA compliance will allow the building to become a more functional public meeting space again.  The fire station continues to be a drop off  and pick up point for Meals on Wheels and for Covid 19 testing kits.

 On December 5, Martha Harrison from the regional planning commission as well as two energy analysts from Nova Group, GBC came to the station and performed an intensive inspection of the building in order to make a report and recommendations on how to proceed in further weatherizing the building. This report is in the process of being completed.

 The department recently received a significant private anonymous donation to clean and paint the two apparatus bays that house our Rescue and Brush Truck. This work has been partially completed and is ongoing.  I would like to thank all of the community members, taxpayers and private citizens who continue to donate money and time to further the mission of our department and of course all of our dedicated volunteers.

Sincerely,

Chief Rebecca Nareau.

Cavendish Update 1/26/24: News/Events

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 7 pm this evening. Freezing rain and snow. Ice accumulations of up to a  quarter of an inch and total snow accumulations of a dusting to 2 inches.

1/26/24

1. Public Hearing Notice

2.Cavendish Related News

3. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Free Cell Phone & Service for those that qualify: SEVCA is participating in the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program for Windsor and Windham county. Many people can qualify for this program which will provide a new cellphone with case and screen protector, unlimited talk and text, and 5GB per month of data at no cost to the recipient. Those currently participating in the following programs automatically qualify for the program: 3 Squares VT; Medicaid; WIC, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, Section 8 or Affordable Housing Assistance. If you are interested in finding out if you qualify - please call SEVCA at 800.464.9951 and ask to speak with Family Services about the ACP program. The current round of this program closes on February 8th so be sure to call by February 7th, 2024!

• Fletcher Farm School Announces New Board Chair: After managing daily operations and serving as board chair, Susan Damone Balch will shift to solely focusing on her administrative role. The board welcomes acclaimed metalwork artist and longtime Fletcher Farm School teaching artist Piper Strong as its new chairperson. Strong brings over a decade of leadership experience in the Vermont arts community. After managing daily operations and serving as board chair, Susan Damone Balch will shift to solely focusing on her administrative role. The board welcomes acclaimed metalwork artist and longtime Fletcher Farm School teaching artist Piper Strong as its new chairperson. Strong brings over a decade of leadership experience in the Vermont arts community. VT Journal

• How one local nonprofit supports BIPOC skiers and snowboarders: Hana Saydek, who grew up in Cavendish, raced at Okemo Mountain, attended Okemo Mountain School and taught there, is the founder and director of Unlikely Riders, a nonprofit that organizes community events at local ski mountains aimed at Black and Indigenous people and other people of color. VT Public

• Magris Talc college scholarships: Magris Talc is now accepting college scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Two $2,500 scholarships are available for students of the greater Ludlow area  in their last year of school, who are choosing to pursue either a four-year bachelor’s program degree or two-year technical/trade program. Students must be entering a field of study in one of the following disciplines: earth or natural sciences, mining, engineering, environmental studies or management, health and safety, or the industrial trades such as mechanical, electrical, welding, HVAC, and plumbing. Applicants must submit an essay describing their interest in the field they are entering, how that interest developed, and what their plans are for the future. Essays must be accompanied with a cover letter with all contact information, and submitted to Magris Talc, c/o Scholarship Committee, 73 East Hill Road, Ludlow, VT 05149. The application deadline is April 10.

2. EVENTS

FEBRUARY 7 (WEDNESDAY): Public hearing on an enhanced energy chapter of the town plan,  6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

FEBRUARY 12 (MONDAY): Monthly Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

FEBRUARY 13 (TUESDAY): Mardi Gras

FEBRUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

FEBRUARY 15 (THURSDAY): Quarterly Property Taxes due

FEBRUARY 19 (MONDAY): President’s Day. Legal holiday town office and schools closed

FEBRUARY 19-23 (MONDAY-FRIDAY) Winter Break no school

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