Cavendish Update 1/16/15 News/SB/Events

1. Cavendish Select Board Meetings
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Sixth Annual Mardi Gras Party
4. Home Solar Workshop
5. Events

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 1. SELECT BOARD ACTIVITIES: January is when the town budget and report is compiled. Currently, the Select Board is meeting multiple times a week to work on the budget. Warnings for Town Meeting will be discussed at this coming week’s meetings. To follow the actions of the Select Board, minutes of the meetings are available on-line at the Municipal website. 

 2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

• Scam Alert for TDS Subscribers: In the past week, TDS subscribers have received e-mails directing the user to a website, which is not from TDS. This is a scam and TDS has warned not to open the links, respond to e-mail or to call any number provided. TDS alerts use their logo as well as a TDS e-mail account. If you have questions, call their toll free number-866-571-6662.  

 • TDS Implements New E-mail Platform: On Thursday, TDS Internet switched e-mail service from Google to a new platform. This impacts only those users whose e-mail address is tds.net.

 • CHS Program for CTES Students: On Jan. 13, CTES students learned about what it was like to attend a one-room school by making their own chalkboard and learning games. Directions for making chalk paint, as well as how to play "Sevens," is available at the Cavendish Historical Society Blog. Special thanks to volunteers Pang Ting and Bob Naess. 

 • Springfield Medical Care System Earns National Recognition: The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that four of Springfield Medical Care Systems’ (SMCS) primary care practices, including Ludlow Health Center, have received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Level 3 Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. Press Release 

 3. SIXTH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS PARTY: Is it time to chase away your mid-winter blues?  Well, Mardi Gras is almost here, and you can chase away those blues by dining and dancing with the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association at its sixth annual Mardi Gras celebration.  This year the festivities take place on Saturday, February 14th at Crow’s Bakery and Opera House Café on Depot Street in Proctorsville.  Doors open at 6:00 and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner and dance are $40 per person but are limited to 30 people. 

There will be a New Orleans Cajun style buffet dinner including pulled pork or vegetarian po’ boys, corn bread, coleslaw, Seymour’s Famous shrimp étouffée, red beans and rice, cupcakes and more, with choice of beverages.

What would a Mardi Gras party be without Cajun music?  Dancing to the great tunes of Yankee Chank with Cavendish’s very own fiddler Bob Naess will fill the evening.  Of course it also wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without masks, so there will be a prize for the best and most creative homemade mask.

This is a fundraiser for the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association, whose projects include the annual Cavendish Calendar, the Walk and Talk series of conservation events, the Energy Committee and its educational workshops, and the Community Fund.  So dig out your mask and dancing shoes, and buy your tickets early.  Laissez les bon temps rouler!

For those who would like to just enjoy the music and dancing, tickets are $10 at the door starting at 7:30 p.m.  Dinner tickets are available at Crow’s Bakery or by calling (802) 226-7736.  Call early to reserve your tickets.

4. HOME SOLAR WORKSHOP : The Cavendish Energy Committee has been working with the Chester Conservation Committee on a Solar Education and Information workshop, scheduled for Feb. 3, from 7-8:30 pm at NewsBank Conference Center, 352 Main Street, Chester, VT. The workshop will feature three speakers who will explain and answer your questions about the what, why and how of using Solar Power for your home energy needs. For more information, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar entry.

5. EVENTS: Today is the CTES Bake Sale, 3-8 pm at Shaw’s and Singletons. Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 17 there will be an ice skating party at Greven Field starting at 6 pm. Don’t worry about having skates, as there are plenty to borrow. Monday is the Martin Luther King Holiday (1/19) and school and town office will be closed. For more information on these and other upcoming events, go to:

Cavendish Connects Calendar 

Okemo Valley Calendar 

SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS  

Life in a Cavendish One Room School

Tarbell Hill School House, which has been torn down. 

On Jan. 13, CTES students learned about what it was like to attend a one room school by making their own chalkboard and learning games. Directions for making your own chalk paint, as well as how to play "Sevens," is available at the Cavendish Historical Society Blog. Special thanks to volunteers Pang Ting and Bob Naess. 

Cavendish Update 1/9/15: News/Election/Events

Thank you to all who donated to the Cavendish Connects December fundraiser.

THE 1/9/15 EDITION OF THE CAVENDISH UPDATE

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Petitions for Town Elected Positions Need to be Filed by Jan. 25

3. Cavendish Q and A: What to do with Christmas Trees

4. Adult Reading Program at the Cavendish Library

5. Black River Produce Donate Land to BRGN

6. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Cavendish Solar Power is Contributing to the Grid: According to town manager Rich Svec, the town’s solar project was installed and operational by Dec. 31 thereby making it possible for the town to receive maximum incentives. A full report on the solar project will be available shortly.

 Cavendish Trees Fund Cavendish Shelter: The Cavendish Fire Department (CFD) is working to strengthen the emergency sheltering capabilities within the town by raising money to purchase an emergency generator for the Cavendish Baptist Church building, which costs approximately $10,000. “Thank You!” to the Cavendish Fire Department and all the individuals who purchased their Christmas tree from the Department. The current balance of the Emergency Shelter Initiative fund is $668 – a good start! To learn more about this initiative and how you can help, go to The Dish. 

 Area Fires: The Proctorsville Fire Department has recently responded to local fires in Ascutney/Weathersfield (Green Dragon Farm-131 and S. Mountain Rd) and to 83 Main Street in Ludlow (corner of Commonwealth Ave and 103) for an explosion. The latter occurred on Jan 3, around 9:30 pm. There was no fire . The origin of the explosion is from a Bock oil fired water heater. While the exact cause of the explosion is unknown, it is not considered “suspicious.” Vermont State Police Press Release

PVFD Totals 85 Calls for 2014: The Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department has posted their total number of calls (85), man-hours (1,581) and other information for 2014 available at The Dish. *None of theses stats account for the hundreds of hours our Firefighters train, provide fire safety education at CTES, fund raise, and volunteer extra time to the community such as filling the Greven Field Ice Rink etc. through out the year. This has been the busiest year in our 181 year history. We operate as a true volunteer fire dept. as none of our members collect any kind of pay. Thank you to the volunteers of PVFD for making the difference in our community.

Flu is Now Widespread in Vermont and in Cavendish: The flu is now considered "widespread" in Vermont and several local residents have been diagnosed with Type A flu.  If you experience flu symptoms -fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches- see your medical provider as soon as possible for medications that can reduce symptoms and avoid complications. Note that nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur but are more common among children than adults. For tips on reducing your risk of flu, go to Don’t Have Time to Be Sick: Flu Prevention

JC Penney at Rutland Mall Closing: J.C. Penney confirmed the store will be closing in early April. The mall's Sears store closed just last month. WCAX 

 2. PETITIONS FOR TOWN ELECTED POSITIONS: If you are interested in seeking an elected position for the town, you need to complete a petition (available from the Town Clerk) and file it, along with a minimum of 11 signatures of registered Cavendish voters, with the Town Office, by Jan. 26 (Monday), 5 pm. Elected positions, which will be done by Australian Ballot on Tuesday March 3, include:

• Town Moderator 1 year

• School District Moderator 1 year

• Selectman: One 3 year term and 2 positions for 1 year terms

• Town Agent 1 year

• Lister 3 years

• Auditor: Terms for three, two and one year terms

• Library Trustee: 1 year

• Trustee of Public Funds: 1 and 3 year terms

• Town  Grand Juror: 1 year

• First Constable: 1 year

• Cemetery Commissioners: 3, 4 and 5 year terms

• Town School Directors: One 3 year term and two 1 year terms

• GMUHS Director: 1 and 3 year terms

3. CAVENDISH Q AND A: What to do with a Christmas Tree.

Q: How/where should I dispose of my Christmas tree? Are there any options other than the transfer station?

A: Real trees are biodegradable, which means that can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire. According to Mary O’Brien of the Southern Windsor/Windham Solid Waste Management Christmas trees make excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife if left outside after the holidays. If you have land enough, leave your tree out to decay naturally over time. If you know anyone with goats, talk to them--goats love to eat Christmas trees! More ideas for recycling your Cavendish Christmas Tree.

4. ADULT READING PROGRAM AT THE CAVENDISH LIBRARY:  Looking for a way to beat the winter blahs?  Reading is a great way to do it.  Starting January 12 and running until April, the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library will be running a reading program for adults only.  Loosely modeled on the Summer Program for children, the program is designed to encourage reading during those cold dark months of winter.  Simply check out a book from the library and your name will be entered into a weekly drawing for a small prize.  All of the entries will then be entered into a grand drawing in April for a grand prize.  

 Each month the library will feature different genres and themes.  These will include survival, relationships and crime.  The program will culminate with a Dinner and a Murder event, where participants play a role in solving or perpetrating a murder (not a real one, honest!) while enjoying some great food.  

 This program is free and open to any members of the community 18 and older. For more information, please contact Kata at 226-7503.

 5. BLACK RIVER PRODUCE DONATES LAND TO BRGN: The Board of Directors of Black River Good Neighbor Services in Ludlow has announced the receipt of a major gift from Black River Produce of North Springfield.  The owners of BRP, Mark Curran and Steve Birge have given the Ludlow based food shelf the land on which BRP first ran their wholesale business in the late 1970’s.

Black River Good Neighbor Services operates a food shelf at 37B Main Street in Ludlow to serve the towns of Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth.  They have partnered with Black River Produce for many years to help feed the hungry and this latest gesture of generosity is most appreciated.

“This is quite overwhelming,” said Peter LaBelle, President of the Good Neighbors’ Board.  “We are truly grateful for the kindness that Mark and Steve have shown to the people of Ludlow, and especially to our clients.”

Black River Produce began the wholesale distribution of produce from an old barn in the lot off Pleasant Street in the late 1970’s.  They moved their operations to Proctorsville in 1989 when they outgrew the barn, and then moved to North Springfield in 2005, but still remember their roots in Ludlow.  “We believe in giving back to the community that has been so good to us,” said Steve Birge.  “Black River Produce is all about food and we hate the thought that there are people who cannot afford to eat.  We just wanted to help Good Neighbors in some way.”

5. EVENTS: Monday, Jan. 12 begins the Adult Reading program at the Cavendish Library as well as the Cavendish Select Board meeting, the agenda of which has been posted to The Dish. Tuesday Jan. 13 is the local beekeepers meeting and Friday Jan 16 is the CTES Bake Sale.  For more information on these and other upcoming events, go to: 

• Cavendish Connects Calendar 

•  Okemo Valley Calendar 

                                                SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS 

Select Board Meeting Agenda 1/12/15

The Cavendish Select Board will meet on Monday, Jan 12 at 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. The agenda will be as follows:

1. Call the meeting to order

2. Review/approve minutes of the meeting of December 8, 2014 and January 5, 2015

3. Sign Orders

4. Review Correspondence

5. Adjust agenda

6. Hear Citizens

7. Recreation Director Terry O’Brien present to discuss the Recreation Department budget proposal for FY16

8. Town Manager to explain to the Board that representatives from TDS were not able to attend tonight’s meeting as originally planned but are instead now scheduled to attend the SB meeting of February 9th.

9. At 6:50 pm meet with representatives of the Vermont Adult Learning regarding an external appropriation request for FY16

10. At 7:00 pm meet with representatives of the Cavendish Library Board and the Town Librarian to consider the library appropriation request for FY16

11. Town Manager to ask the members of the board what they wish to proceed in considerations of external appropriation requests which were received this year after the submission deadline.

12. At 7:45 pm meet with Mike Chamberlain, Windsor County Sheriff regarding Sheriff’s Office services and rates proposed for FY16

13. Town Manager to report on preparation and the printing contract award for the 2014 Annual Town Report.

14. Town Manager to solicit topics for inclusion in the Town Manager and Selectmen’s Report for the 2014 Town Report and thoughts on items to be included on the draft of the Town Meeting Warning.

15. Review and sign Annual Town Highway Inventory and Special Highway & Bridge Weight Limit filing

16. At 8:15 pm meet with members of the Cavendish Cemetery Commission for a follow-up and continuation of the discussion of January 7th to review and consider the cemetery request for FY 16 town appropriation.

17. Update on various town activities

18. If time permits, continue general work and discussions on the FY 2014-2015 Selectmen’s Budget

19. Other business

20. Adjourn by 8:45 pm