Cavendish Update 10/17/14 SB Mtg/News/Events

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The 10/17/14 Cavendish Update Contains the Following:

1. Select Board Meeting 10/14/14

2. Cavendish Related News

3. CCCA to Hold “Meet the Candidates Night” in Cavendish

4. Yankee Thrift: A Lifestyle for Today

5. BRGNS To Hold Annual Stick Season Social Fundraiser

6. Spread Some Christmas Joy!  

7. Events

8. Support Cavendish Connects

 1. SELECT BOARD MEETING 10/14/14: Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website  and on Comcast Television.  Written minutes are available at the Cavendish Municipal website. 

 The following action was taken at Monday night’s meeting:

• Discussed Education Funding Resolution, which would place a cap for two years on that portion of property taxes used for education. Did not vote to sign resolution.

• Diane McNamara has resigned her position as Trustee of Public Funds.  Jane Pixley was approved to take her place.

• Cavendish Local Basic Emergency Operation Plan (LEOP) was approved and signed by the SB

• The town received a grant of $12,500 grant from the Energy Development Fund for the Solar project. Due to sandy soil, additional expenditures-up to $24,000- is needed to put in the posts for the solar panels. SB approved the changes. The project is slated for completion and operation by Dec. 31, 2014. 

• A contract was signed and work will begin on Nov. 3 for the replacement of the Davis Rd Bridge. This will be done in two phases, with final completion being slated for spring 2015. 

• There is sufficient sand and salt in place in the event of an early snow/ice event. Equipment is in good shape and the town is ready for the winter season ahead.

 See The Dish for a full report on Monday night’s meeting. 

 2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

See Cavendish in Pictures: Thanks to Amanda Gross for “Snapshots of Cavendish,” now available on-line. This slideshow was shown at the October 4, 2014 supper at Cavendish Baptist Church and features many local photographers. 

 Vermont Journal Articles

• Brook Farm Vineyard Harvest 

• PFD Practices Vehicle Extraction 

Cavendish Planning Commission: Unapproved minutes from their Oct. 1 meeting are now available on-line.

Why Fuel Prices in VT are Dropping so Low: From gasoline to heating oil and propane, fuel prices in Vermont are lower than they were a year ago. The decline in prices will likely mean lower heating bills and less expensive fill-ups during the coming winter. VPR 

Ascutney Agrees to Buy Ski Area: The Valley News reports of the $600,000 to buy the resort property, which closed in 2010, $50,000 will come from the town of West Windsor's conservation fund, and the rest will be raised by the national nonprofit Trust for Public Land. Voters approved the measure Tuesday. WCAX

 Look a Like Lady Bugs Invading VT Homes: They may look like ladybugs, but the Asian lady beetles were brought to America to eat aphids and thrips and they’ve used their new habitat to thrive. The bugs have lived in Vermont for the last 10-20 years. They migrate northeast as weather patterns change. WCAX 

3. CCCA TO HOLD “MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT”: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will hold an informational meeting and debate for Cavendish voters on Thursday, October 23rd, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Main Street in Proctorsville.

Since only one local office is contested this year, the evening will focus on that race.  For State Representative there are two candidates.  Stuart Lindberg (Independent) of Cavendish is challenging the incumbent, Mark Huntley (Democrat) also of Cavendish.  The winner will represent the towns of Cavendish and Weathersfield in the state legislature.

Each candidate will be allowed to address the voters and will be allowed to debate the issues in a moderated debate.  Since the session will be recorded and rebroadcast by LPC-TV, the candidates will be addressing all voters in the town.

The meeting is open to all Cavendish and Weathersfield citizens and residents.  Those unable to attend and those who do not receive cable TV broadcasts will be able to access the session on www.lpctv.org during the days leading up to the election.   For more information, please call Will Hunter at (603) 261-1841 or Peter LaBelle at 802-376-5648.

4. YANKEE THRIFT: A LIFESTYLE FOR TODAY: The hardscrabble life of the early settlers to Cavendish and other parts of New England required that they “use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” Yankee thrift was key to survival.

The founding Cavendish families-Coffeens, Duttons and Proctors- had to live within their means as credit cards, mass produced goods, and even “labor saving devices” were unknown. Fortunately, they were not continually bombarded, in all directions with advertisements and other strategies to make them want to spend money.

“Channeling” John and Suzanna Coffeen, and the other “first couples of Cavendish,” the Cavendish Historical Society has developed “guiding principles of thrift,” which are available at the CHS blog.  In addition, Cavendish Connects now has a “Yankee Thrift” Pinterest board. 

5. BRGNS TO HOLD ANNUAL STICK SEASON FUNDRAISER: Black River Good Neighbor Services is holding its fifth annual Stick Season Social at Sam’s Steakhouse on Saturday, November 1st starting at 6:00 p.m.  “Stick Season is that time between the fall leaves and the winter snow.  In addition to dinner, the evening will include a cash bar, a terrific silent auction, and lots of raffle items and door prizes.  Sam’s has planned a full buffet including its signature salad bar and a variety of entrées and desserts.

Tickets are $55 per person, including dinner, gratuities and tax and can be purchased at BRGNS Thrift Store, Peoples United Bank, the Book Nook, and The Wine & Cheese Depot, all located in Ludlow.  Or, and this is the really easy way to buy, you may purchase tickets on line.  Please call 802-228-3663 with any questions.  Tickets must be purchased in advance and seating is limited.  BRGNS is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

6. SPREAD SOME CHRISTMAS JOY!: Last year, 75 Christmas gift boxes traveled from Cavendish to Ukraine and brought joy to 75 children!  How many boxes will our community pack this year and where will they end up?  Don't miss this opportunity to share some Christmas joy!  Drop in any time on November 8 between 10:00am and 1:00pm to help pack Christmas gift boxes for some of the neediest children in the world. Operation Christmas Child is an annual event organized by Samaritan’s Purse to bless children all over the world.  The Packing Party is hosted by Cavendish Baptist Church and located in the multi-purpose room at Cavendish Elementary School. Boxes and gifts are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own gifts to donate as well. A list of gift suggestions is available on-line.  Donations towards shipping costs are also a great way to help.  For more information about the Packing Party, call (802) 226-7131

7. EVENTS: On Sunday, there will be a clean up of Greven Field and on Thursday, Oct. 23, there will be a candidates forum. For information about these and other events, go to

• Cavendish Connects Calendar 

• On going Cavendish Fall Activities 

•  Okemo Valley Calendar 

SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Select Board Meeting 10/14/14

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Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website  and on Comcast Television.  Written minutes are available at the town’s website. 

 The following items were discussed and/or acted upon at Monday night’s meeting:

 A. Cavendish Historical Society: Margo Caulfield, Coordinator of the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) brought to the Select Board’s attention the need to address how the town is funding CHS, since the organization is responsible for $500,000 worth of town property (Museum building and Stone Church). At the March town meeting, the town approved tax abatements for the Black River Health Center (BRHC) and Fletcher Farms, plus added a Recreation Department. CHS receives a line item budget of $1,800 plus insurance, to maintain a half million dollars of town property.

Rich Svec, town manager, will review the original lease agreement between the town and CHS, which was signed in the 1970’s. As Caulfield noted, there was a larger residential population and fewer organizations back then, making it easier to recruit volunteers and funds. Last year alone, between in-kind contributions and expenditures, CHS spent over $4,000 on repairs and restoration of the Stone Church. They currently are waiting to hear about a $10,000 grant for repairing the belfry of the Stone Church.

B. Education Funding: The SB reviewed a copy of the “Resolution for Sustainable Education Funding Reform in Vermont," which states Vermont can achieve a sustainable Education future:

· Create a more diverse education funding system, sharing the costs equally between all our tax resources (income, sales, rooms & meals, and property taxes)

· Simplify the education funding system so it can be understood by the average taxpayer.

Continued reliance on the education property tax will have a material impact on local government's ability to provide vital services (police, fire, roads etc.) to residents.

 Therefore be it resolved that Vermont Towns & School Districts support capping Education Property Tax rates at FY2015 levels for the next 2 years, to allow the Legislature to make the necessary funding reforms that will sustain our Education system into the future.  (It is not the intent of this resolution to cap overall education spending).

 Representative Mark Huntley was on hand to discuss this resolution. His opinion, as well as that of town manager, Rich Svec, is that small towns will be adversely impacted by the resolution. Huntley noted that property owners are demanding that the legislature do something about the high costs of property taxes for education (VT pays 20% more than the national average). One way or the other, this will be a high priority for the upcoming session.

 The SB took no action on the resolution.

 C. Trustee of Public Funds: Diane McNamara submitted a letter of resignation from this position, which was accepted with reluctance by the board. Jane Pixley submitted a letter to fill the vacancy, which was approved.

 D. Broadband Access: The town’s letter to TDS describing the issues many residents are having with their Internet service, has yet to be sent. However, various residents have contacted both TDS and the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA). Note that the Internet is an unregulated service, and therefore there is no legal authority in the state. TDS has responded to some of the inquiries by basically saying they are aware of the problem, they have no plans to upgrade, and users can drop their Internet service without a penalty. A report on Cavendish’s issues with Internet is available at The Dish. 

 Because there are serious issues with connectivity for both Internet and cell service, it was recommended that the SB establish a Telecommunications Committee as these are key for businesses, home purchases etc. SB member Wendy Reiger, speaking as an individual and not a member of the board,  noted that when you move to places like Cavendish, you have to accept trade offs and basically it is unrealistic to expect the type of communications services in a city to be available in a rural town like Cavendish.

 The SB did not act on the recommendation of a Telecommunications Committee.

 E. Cavendish Local Basic Emergency Operation Plan (LEOP): The plan was approved, adopted and signed by the SB. Due to confidential information this document is not available to the public, but a similar document, minus such information, will be available at a later date.

F. Sustainability

• ERP (Ecosystem Restoration Program) Grant: The town has received an extension on the grant, as there have been difficulties with the three parcels of land the town plans to purchase and manage as part of flood control.

 • Solar Project: The town has signed a contract with Prudent Living,  who has helped the town in being awarded a $12,500 grant from the Energy Development Fund. The sandy soil will require additional expenditures to put in the posts for the solar panels. This could add an additional $24,000 to costs, but there is plenty of wiggle room in the $450,000 proposed budget with amply return on investment. Prudent Living is scheduled to have the project operational by Dec. 31, 2014.

G. Infrastructure

• Bridge # 37 (Davis Rd): A contract was signed on 10-13-14 with J.P.Sicard, Inc. of Barton VT. Work will begin on Nov. 3 and will be done in two phases. The old bridge will be removed and the site prepared before the end of the 2014 construction season. Concrete and bridge completion will take place as soon as possible in the spring. There will be some road closures.

 • Municipal Water: Tighe and Bond, been hired to write the town’s comprehensive Operations and Maintenance Manual and to do the permitting of well #2. The media in the iron removal filtration vessel needed to be changed. This was required sooner than anticipated because of the naturally occurring high iron content in well #1. With well #2 coming on line, this should help reduce the total water iron content.

 • Highway: There is sufficient sand and salt in place in the event of an early snow/ice event. Equipment is in good shape and the town is ready for the winter season ahead.

H. Recreation Dept.: Soccer season is winding down and basketball season is not far off. There is on-going discussion about a skate board park at Greven Field. Rec. director, Terry O'Brien, is looking into a low cost ice skating rink at Greven during the winter months. 

 

 

Crime Watch: Cavendish Burglary

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On October 10, 2014 (Friday), at approximately 2055 (8.55 pm) hours, the Vermont State Police received a call regarding a burglary located at 379 High Street in the Town of Cavendish, Vermont.

 The call was placed by Christopher Phelps, age 50, who informed the Vermont State Police that someone was in his house. Phelps informed Troopers that someone went through drawers and moved things around, but only took change.

 Approximately $4 was taken from the residence between the hours of 0900 and 1530 (3:30 pm) hours on October 10. This case is still under investigation and anyone with information regarding this burglary is urged to contact the Rockingham State Police barracks at 802-875-2112.