Select Board Meeting Agendas for Jan. 11 (Mon) and Jan. 13 (Wed)

January 11 (Monday) Note: The Cavendish Select Board will be meeting in executive session with Town Attorney Matthew Birmingham at 6:00 pm in the Town Clerk’s Office on a legal matter (closed session). The board will convene its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 pm in the Town Office Meeting Room.

1. Call the monthly meeting to order

2. Review/approve minutes of the meetings of December 14th, 2015 and January 4th and 6th, 2016

3. Sign Orders

4. Review Correspondence

5. Adjust agenda

6. Discuss project changes proposed by Vtrans for the Green Mountain Railroad trestle project on Cavendish Gulf Road. Dan Delabruere of Vtrans Structures Division and two Vtrans project engineers will be present to give information about shotcrete and soil nail options. This is a follow-up to previous discussions including September 14th and August 10th, 2015

7. At 7:15 pm meet with Jackie Hanlon of Windsor County Youth Services regarding the work that her organization provides to the Cavendish community and their request for a FY17 town external appropriation.

8. At 7:25 pm meet with Lori Brown of the Vermont Adult Learning regarding the work that her organization provides to the Cavendish community as well as their FY17 town external appropriation request

9. Jason Rasmussen of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission will be present to give the Board an overview of Act 64, the Vermont Clean Water Act, and its ramifications for towns.

10. Hear Citizens

11. Town Manager to solicit topics for inclusion in the Town Manager and Selectmen’s Report for the 2015 Annual Town Report and thoughts on items to be included on the draft of the 2016 Town Meeting Warning.

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

13. If time permits, continue general work and discussions on the FY 2016-2017 Selectmen’s Budget

14. Other business

15. Adjourn

Selectmen’s Budget Work Session Meeting, Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 in the Cavendish Town Office Meeting Room at 6:00 PM.

................................................................ AGENDA ................................................................

1. Call the meeting to order

2. Review Correspondence

3. Meet with representatives of the Cavendish Library Board and the Cavendish Town

Librarian to consider the town library appropriation request for FY17

4. Meet with representatives of the Cavendish Historical Society to consider it’s town appropriation request for FY17

5. Continue budget work on remaining items in the FY 2016-2017 Selectmen’s Budget.

6. Discuss preliminary draft of March 2016 Annual Town Meeting Warning

7. Adjourn by 8:00 pm sharp

Cavendish Update 1/8/16 News/Elections/Events/Textiles

This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible by donations from Charlotte LeClair, Chrisandra Burgess and Jon and Bev Owens. Thank you for your support.
 
1/8/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Town Elected Positions Open
3. Cavendish Textile Barn has Re opened
4. Texas Hold’em Tournament
5. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
What You Need to Know About Cavendish & State Legislative Processes: January is an important month for citizens who want to help determine budgets and the direction of their state and town governments. A special handout has been prepared by Cavendish Connects to help people participate in this process at the town level as well as the state. What You Need to Know. 
 
Table 19 Moving to Cavendish: Expected to relocate at the intersections of 103 and 131, the former home of the Black River Brew Pub, by the end of February/beginning of March, Table 19 plans to offer a Tex/Asian cuisine. Follow their relocation progress at their website. 
 
Two Arrested in Slew of Burglaries: After an investigation, Springfield VT Police have a charged two Springfield residents with burglary. Police say Steven Miller 24, and a 17-year-old male were arrested for their involvement in the various crimes. The juvenile took part in two of the Downer’s Four Corners Store burglaries; the Rite-Aid burglary and the vandalism of Citizen’s Bank ATM. WNTK News
 
 Bensons Now Open in Ludlow: On the last day of 2015, the oldest family-owned Chevrolet dealer in the State of Vermont held it’s grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for their new facility in Ludlow. Vermont Journal
 
State Oks Canada to Ludlow Power Line: A 1,000-megawatt transmission line from Canada to Ludlow has received the final word from the state, which issued a certificate of public good Tuesday afternoon. The Public Service Board issued the certificate to TDI New England and its New England Clean Power Link Project. Times Argus
 
Mt. Ascutney Hospital Could Face Federal Sanctions: As a result of an unannounced visit by Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, patient care and restraint issues were found. The hospital was visited on Dec. 9 as a result of a complaint. Under the hospital's "plan of correction," which was sent to CMS in late December, nurses will be required to record when patients fall and compile quarterly and annual data. Hospital staff will also be trained to use less restrictive alternatives to restraint, and to record all incidences of restraint. CMS can still impose penalties if a follow-up visit finds the staff out of compliance with its plan of correction. VPR
 
2. TOWN ELECTED POSITIONS OPEN
Those who are interested in running for a town office must file a petition and have it signed by 11 registered Cavendish voters by the close of business on January 25 (Monday). Please stop by the town office if you are interested in filing or signing a petition.
 
The following positions are open for election for one year terms unless otherwise noted: Town and School Moderators; Town Agent; Auditors (one position each for 1, 2 and 3 year terms); Constable; Selectmen (2 one year terms and one two year term); Lister (one position for 2 years and one position for one year); Trustee of Public Funds; CTES School Directors (3 positions all for one year terms); GMUHS Director; Library Trustee (one position for one year and one position for 5 years); and Town Grand Juror. Please stop by or call the Town Office for more information-226-7292.
 
Learn more about Cavendish and the state legislative processes, including Town Meeting, which take place the first quarter of every year.  What You Need to Know About Cavendish & State Legislative Processes. 
 
3. CAVENDISH TEXTILE BARN HAS REOPENED
Thanks to a new contract, arranged by the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste District, the Cavendish Transfer Station’s Textile Barn is once again open to take the following:
• Bagged, Clean and Dry Clothing:  all types, including ripped, stained, and out-of-fashion
 • Shoes - bagged separately from clothing
 • Bagged, Clean and Dry Linens: blankets, sheets, towels, curtains (including ripped or stained)
 • Belts, Purses, Hats, Mittens, Coats, Socks
 • Stuffed Animals
 
4. TEXAS HOLD’EM TOURNAMENT
A Texas Hold'em Tournament will be held on January 16, 2016, 12:30 pm at the Proctorsville Fire Station, Main St.  Buy in is $75 and re-buys are available.  Pay out will be based on the number of players.  Food concession will be available.   Sponsored by Gethsemane Church, Proctorsville.  Registration begins at 11:30am.
 
FMI: Mary Springer at 802-484-7431 or maryspringer5@comcast.net
 
5. EVENTS
January 11 (Monday): Monthly Select Board Meeting. Agenda posted to The Dish when available.
January 16 (Saturday): Texas Hold’em Tournament
 
For more information on this and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects January Calendar.   For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.

What You Need to Know About Cavendish & State Legislative Processes

January is a busy time locally and in Montpelier. This is when citizens can help determine budgets and the direction of their state and town governments.

• Running for a Cavendish Town Office Position: Those who are interested in running for a town office position (e.g. Select Board member, auditor etc.) must file a petition and receive sufficient signatures by the close of business on January 25 (Monday). Please stop by the Town Office to complete necessary forms. Voting for town offices, which is by Australian ballot,  takes place this year on March 1 (Tuesday), 10-4 at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. FMI: 802-226-7292

• Absentee Ballot: Did you know that you can vote early by absentee ballot? The ballot, which includes presidential primary candidates this year, will be available by January 31. Please contact the town office for information about this type of voting.  802-226-7292.

• Cavendish Town Budget: The Select Board is meeting a number of times in January to set the FY 2016-2017 town budget. They are also dealing with the warnings that will be discussed and voted on as part of Town Meeting, Monday, Feb. 29 and Tuesday, March 1. Please note that voters will determine the town budget at Monday night’s Town Meeting .

To follow the Cavendish Select Board activities, check The Dish for meeting times, agendas, and reports on various meetings. Agendas and Minutes are also posted at the Municipal website. 

Select Board meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity to voice concerns.

• School Budgets: Cavendish Town Elementary and GMUHS are finalizing their budgets. While Town Meeting is informational only for the CTES budget, voting takes place on Tuesday, March 1 by Australian ballot for CTES, GMUHS and River Valley Technical Center budgets. Polls (at CTES) are open from 10-7.

• Fire Districts: Proctorsville Fire District 1 and Cavendish Fire District 2 will meet with their respective voters regarding budgets, equipment, taxes etc. These meetings usually take place in February. Note that fire departments are not under the Select Board and they determine their own budgets. 

• Town Meeting: Cavendish holds its town meeting on the Monday evening before the first Tuesday in March, the official Vermont Town Meeting Day. This year’s town meeting will take place on Feb. 29, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School in Proctorsville. The town budget is voted on at this meeting. On Tuesday, March 1, Australian balloting takes place at CTES from 10-7 and will include voting on school budgets, town offices, and presidential primary candidates.  Learn more about town meeting and how you can participate at Cavendish Town Governance. 

• Vermont General Assembly: Now in session for the next four months, opening day was Jan. 5. The legislature will be dealing with a number of issues including: legalization of marijuana; Medicaid; and Act 46 (the state’s new school district consolidation law). Because this was a non-election year, House and Senate committees have dozens of bills to review that were introduced in the 2015 session. To monitor progress on bills, write your legislator etc. go to the Vermont General Assembly website. 

Cavendish’s legislative representatives are as follows:

Representative Mark Huntley

Senator John F Campbell

Senator Dick McCormack

Senator Alice Nitka

Cavendish Update 1/1/16 News/Events/Fun

If the Cavendish Update, Facebook page, calendar and the many other services Cavendish Connects provides-Abundance Swap, Town Wide Tag Sale and Telecommunications Committee to name a few- is of value to you, support us so we can continue in 2016. Support Cavendish Connects by:

• Mailing a check to Cavendish Connects, PO Box 3, Cavendish VT 05142 or clicking the Support Button and donating on-line. 

• Make a donation for an issue of the Cavendish Update in someone’s name

• Organize a fundraiser
 
1/1/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. New Rider Survey for The Current Bus Routes
3. Fun a Day for January
4. Beginners Tapestry Workshop
5. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Heritage Savings and Loan Robbery-Suspect Denies Robberies: Convicted bank robber Matthew Martin, 31, of Perkinsville was ordered held without bail Monday after he turned himself in over the weekend. Brattleboro Police said Martin confessed to dressing up as a woman and robbing a bank on Main Street on December 14th and Martin is also the suspect in an armed robbery of a pharmacy in Brattleboro, a bank in Ludlow, and two banks in New Hampshire all earlier this month. At court on Monday, Martin pleaded innocent to three felony counts of assault and robbery. Rutland Herald
 
VT Minimum Wage Increases to $9.60 Jan 1: Vermont’s minimum wage will bump up from $9.15 to $9.60 on Jan. 1. The Vermont Legislature and Gov. Peter Shumlin approved a graduated set of increases over a three year period, starting in 2015. The wage will go up to $10 in 2017 and $10.50 in 2018. After that, the wage rate will be indexed.  VT Digger
 
Misty Valley Books Owners to Retire: Longtime Vermonters Lynne and Bill Reed are closing one chapter of their busy lives as the owners of Misty Valley Books in Chester and are opening yet another in their upcoming retirement. They are currently looking for a new owner for the store. Eagle Times
 
2. NEW RIDER SURVEY FOR THE CURRENT BUS ROUTES
Southeast Vermont Transit (often known as “The Current”) has just started a project to evaluate the buses it runs in the Springfield/Ludlow/Bellows Falls area.  The majority of this project will focus on a survey of existing and potential bus riders in the area – which will be available 1/4/2016 through 1/24/2017.  It is hoped that through this input we will identify small improvements to existing routes so they can increase ridership and decrease cost. 
 
The following bus routes are included in this project:

• Springfield In-Town (#1)
• Bellows Falls In-Town (#2)
• Bellows Falls to Springfield (#55)
• Bellows Falls to Ludlow (and Rutland) (#57)
• Bellows Falls to Okemo (#61) (seasonal)

 
For more information about the project, as well as a link to the online survey, see www.swcrpc.org. For more information on existing bus routes, see www.crtransit.org
 
3. FUN A DAY FOR JANUARY
Winter weather getting you down? Consider a Fun A Day Project.
 
In its 12th year, Fun a Day was started by Art Clash  as a way to inspire one another through the winter months. Starting January 1, pick a project and do it every day for the month. It can be anything, baking, writing, photography, art, cleaning or whatever strikes your fancy. To keep the inspiration going after January, a show is held where everyone can display their work and participants can even sell some of their projects. Check out photos from past shows. 
 
If you are interested in doing a Fun a Day project and would be interested in participating in a group show in February, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com
 
4. BEGINNERS TAPESTRY WORKSHOP
Six Loose Ladies and the Cavendish Tapestry Project are sponsoring a two day beginners tapestry workshop on June 14-15 at Gethsemane Church Parish Hall.  In this workshop Rebecca Mezoff, a nationally recognized tapestry artist and teacher, will discuss tapestry weaving in general, what looms work for tapestry, warp and weft yarns to consider. She will show slides of tapestries and talk about how to use this medium for creative expression.  Participants will have plenty of time to try some beginning tapestry techniques, look at ways to warp various looms, and learn why certain looms are great for this weave structure and others are not so good. This class is intended for people who have no or limited experience with tapestry weaving.  Participants can bring their loom (warping instructions to be sent). Other warped looms will be available.
 
Due to a grant from the Fletcher Farm Foundation, this two day workshop is open to local residents for only a $25 registration fee.  There will be a materials fee of $20-25.
 
Registration will open outside of our area in January 2016.  Send your name, address, email, phone and a brief statement of your weaving knowledge along with your registration fee to:
The Cavendish Tapestry Project workshop
@ Fiber Arts in Vermont
PO Box 166
Proctorsville, VT 05153
 
FMI: cavendishtapestryproject@gmail.com or underandover@tds.net
 
5. EVENTS
January 1 (Friday): Happy New Year
January 4 (Monday): Select Board meeting, 6 pm Town Office. Agenda is available at The Dish. 
January 5 (Tuesday): Community Luncheon. Noon at Gethsemane Parish Hall, off Depot Street in Proctorsville. Menu- Pot Roast, Roasted Veggies, Sides and Dessert. Suggested Donation $4
January 6 (Wednesday): Planning Commission Meeting
 
For more information on this and other events, go to the Cavendish Connects January Calendar.  For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.