Cavendish Update 7/11/25: Tax Rate/News/Events
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LINKS TO CAVENDISH CONNECTS: Facebook Blue Sky or Website
For the third year in a row, Northern Vermont was once again impacted by flash floods on July 10.
Proctorsville Market on the Green 4-7 pm. The Cavendish Historical Society’s is honoring the 250thanniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War with a “taste of history” this month. This week will be Switchel made with maple syrup from the market’s vendor Jim Siberling. For centuries, many people who work outside in the heat of summer swear by this chilled combination of maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, water and ginger. Stop by the CHS booth and try some. FMI: Website
Be alert: Culvert Crawlers are in town! On Monday, July 14, we will once again have Dartmouth students working with us on culvert, ditches and drains. They will be working in the afternoon, upper Brook Road and South Reading Road and will be wearing the Culvert Crawler vests so please drive carefully if you are in the area.
Cavendish Tax Rate: At Wednesday night’s Select Board meeting, they approved the following new tax rate: The homestead rates in both fire districts have increased by $0.26 per $100 of property value in fire district 1 (Proctorsville) and $0.24 per $100 of property value in fire district 2 (Cavendish). The non-homestead rates increased by $0.07 per $100 of property value in fire district 1 and $0.05 per $100 of property value in fire district 2.
Swimming Weather! This week’s water testing results from Black River Action Team (BRAT). Our swimming holes are looking good (though please keep an eye on the local and regional weather, because heavy rain upstream can lead to increased bacteria levels where you want to swim): Amherst Lake: 1 cfu; Buttermilk Falls: 11; Cavendish Gorge: 23; Lake Pauline: 5l; Lake Rescue: 6; Tolles Dam: 21; Twentyfoot Hole: 5. The EPA notes that 235 cfu (colony-forming units of bacteria) in a 100 mL water sample is the upper limit for safe contact. Always avoid swimming in water that is murky or cloudy, and for 24 hours after a heavy rain.
7/11/25
1.Be Storm Savvy-Thunderstorms
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Events Calendar
1. BE STORM SAVVY-THUNDERSTORMS: Given the intensity of recent thunder storms-there were two lighting strikes in our area-we've had some questions about what is and isn't safe to do during such storms. Who knew that a high percentage of lighting-strikes (a third of all strikes) take place in the home. Is it safe to take a shower, do the dishes during a thunder storm?
When a thunderstorm is raging, lightning can strike a house and travel through its plumbing to strike you, making showering during a thunderstorm an unsafe practice. This is true even if you have plastic pipes because water is a good conductor of electricity. That’s also true if you’re bathing, washing dishes or washing your hands — all unsafe activities to do during a thunderstorm.
To protect yourself from a lightning strike, refrain from showering for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder roll you hear. The most dangerous times for a lightning strike are immediately before and immediately after the storm. Lightning strikes can commonly extend 10 miles out from a thundercloud. So, if you’re able to hear thunder, you’re still within that strike distance.”
Learn more about protecting yourself from lighting strikes by reading Striking Facts About Showering During a Thunderstorm.
2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Joanne Gilcris 1937-2025: Passing away peacefully on July 5 at her home, Joanne was a big part of the community from a very early age, working at Singleton’s store, volunteering for the Cavendish Ambulance, driving the Town school bus and then a founder of Gilcris Enterprises Incorporated with her husband Richard in 1962. A memorial service will be held on July 19 (Saturday) at 11:00 AM at the St James United Method Church in Proctorsville. The Ceremony will begin at 11:00am followed by a burial. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Proctorsville Fire Hall directly following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Joanne's memory be made to the St James United Methodist Church.
• Cavendish Resident Wins 2025 Bremer History Prize: Aitana Sevile, thanks to the generosity of the community, was able to attend National History Day in College Park, MD, having won first place in Vermont for her category. She won the National Park Service Outstanding Entry Medal at the National History Day. A graduate of CTES, and a 7th grader at GMUHS, she is now the 2025 Bremmer History Prize winner. The winning entry showed that the author had considered and relied on access to a wide range of important evidence including the National Archives,” said Paul Bremer. “It was also important to the prize committee that she had studied and showed the importance of class action lawsuits.”
• After historic flooding, many Vermont towns still awash in red ink and repairs: In southern Vermont, Cavendish reported $2 million in road damage in 2023 but didn’t receive the first of its FEMA reimbursements until the end of 2024. Two years later, it’s still seeking the remaining $500,000. “People say, ‘Aren’t you glad the flood’s over?’ but it’s not over in our office,” Cavendish Town Clerk Diane McNamara said. “It has been a budget challenge.” VT Digger
• Barbara Dickey Bench dedicated at the Cavendish Library: A bench was dedicated in honor and memory of Barbara Dickey outside the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library on Monday. Barbara was an avid reader who loved books and learning. She also was a very active Cavendish community member. She and her friends started the Cavendish Community Fund investing in community improvements and events. She also served on the Cavendish School Board for a number of years. Chose a good book and sit outside on Barbara’s Bench. That way you can fondly remember her and enjoy both nature and reading, just like she always did!
• AHA Heart Saver Community CPR & First Aid: The Cavendish Fire Department is hosting the American Red Cross Heart Saver Community CPR training on Saturday August 9, 9-2 at the fire station (2153 Main St.) This course is free to Cavendish residents. To sign up contact Chief Nareau 802-226-7790 or puba0111@gmail.com or stop by the station.
• D.C. chaos finally hits Vermont, TRSU schools Chester Telegraph
• GM board member complains of improper executive sessionTelegraph request for public docs only partially fulfilled: Cavendish representative Donovan Nichols, is contending that the executive session held on June 19 “to discuss possible litigation to which the public body may be a party” did not rise to the level necessary to shut out the public and in fact that there was never any discussion of possible litigation. Chester Telegraph
• Newly appointed state school redistricting panel weak in Southern Vermont representation
• Openings at Stepping Stones: Looking for a fun, loving and engaging place for your little one? Stepping Stones Pre School in Proctorsviile has a few open slots available: Ages 2.5 and up, Mondays & Tuesdays 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Ages 2.5 and under, Monday through Thursday. 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Call 802-226-7760.
• Tech Time at Fletcher Memorial Library: Fletcher Memorial Library will host Tech Time with Matt Sydorowich of Sydscompufix, on Saturday, July 19, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Sydorowich will offer one-on-one assistance with your device, phone, or computer. Please call the library at 802-228-8921 to register.
• Gerry Grimo at CCCA Summer Concert Series: Gerry Grimo and the East Bay Jazz Ensemble will return to the Proctorsville Green stage on July 16, for a 6 p.m. concert. The concert will feature music from the big-band era, as well as swing, and standards that span the 1930s to the 1990s. Everyone is invited to enjoy the music, and grab a bite at Murdock’s on the Green or something to-go from Singleton’s Store. The concert is free, but donations are welcome. The Cavendish on the Green Concert Series is made possible by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA) and the Town of Cavendish. The CCCA will have a table at the event with the new 2026 community calendar, and T-shirts for sale. In the event of rain, the concert will move across Main Street to the Proctorsville Fire Hall. A special shoutout to the Castle Resort Hotel and Spa for sponsoring this event. For more information, go to www.cavendshccca.org.
• “Vermont’s 100 Covered Bridges” recognized by Okemo Valley TV
• Springfield welcomes Kinney Drugs to the Plaza
3. EVENTS
JULY 11 (Friday): Proctorsville Market 4-7 pm
JULY 12 (SATURDAY): The CCCA Trail Committee will be doing a general clean up and improvements of the Hardy Trail in Cavendish 9 am. FMI: 802-272-4077
JULY 16 (WEDNESDAY): Concert on Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) 6pm, East Bay Jazz Ensemble
JULY 17 (THURSDAY): Community Luncheon at the Ludlow Community Center, 12 noon. The menu includes meatloaf and Mac N Cheese. Prior to the luncheon, at 11:15 am, Art Randolph will be speaking about Fraud Awareness. All are welcome to this free event. The meal is provided by Black River Good Neighbors Services.
JULY 18 (Friday): Proctorsville Market 4-7 pm
JULY 23 (WEDNESDAY): Concert on Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) 6pm, Wayne Canney & Friends
JULY 25 (Friday): Proctorsville Market 4-7 pm
JULY 26 (SATURDAY): CAVENDISH TOWN WIDE TAGE SALE 9-2 pm. Website.
JULY 30 (WEDNESDAY): Concert on Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) 6pm, Bow Thayer & Krishna Guthrie
AUGUST 6 (WEDNESDAY): Concert on Svec Park (Proctorsville Green) 6pm, Bear Mountain Boys.
AUGUST 9 (SATURDAY): The Cavendish Fire Department is hosting the American Red Cross Heart Saver Community CPR training from 9-2 at the fire station (2153 Main St.) This course is free to Cavendish residents. To sign up contact Chief Nareau 802-226-7790 or puba0111@gmail.com or stop by the station.
