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

This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible by a donation from Gary McElligott. Thank you for your support.
 
1/15/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting
2. Cavendish Related News
3. Sign Up Now for Town Positions
4. Cavendish Telecommunications Update
5. Warning for the Annual Meeting of Cavendish Fire District 2
6. Raise the Roof Concert: Atlantic Crossing
7. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 1/11/16
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 was discussed at Monday night’s meeting:
 
• Green Mountain Railroad Trestle: Construction on the embankment will take place in late June/July and will require the Cavendish Gulf Road to be closed for two weeks with a 72-hour period where the railroad will be shut down. It is possible that the Gulf Rd will be open at night. Signage will appear well in advance of the construction to give people ample time to prepare.
 
• Vermont Clean Water Act (Act 64): Jason Rasmussen of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission (SWCRPC) spoke to the board about the impact on towns of Vermont’s new Clean Water Act, which was signed into law this past June.
 
• Windsor County Youth Services: Tara Chase spoke to the board about the Girls Shelter at 20 Mile Stream as part of the Select Board’s budgetary process. 
 
A report on the meeting is available at The Dish.  
 
2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Ice Skating Rink Now Open at Greven Field: The ice skating rink is open for the community’s enjoyment at Greven Field in Proctorsville and will operate as long as conditions hold. Hockey sticks, skates and other equipment are in the Snack Shack for public use. Please return when done. Shovels are also nearby to help keep the rink clean. FMI: Terry O’Brien 802-226-7289
 
• Proctorsville Woman Escapes Furlough: According to VT Dept. of Corrections, on Jan. 8, Krystal Pelkey, 29, did not return home and police have not been able to locate her. Pelkey was listed by authorities as having escaped from furlough on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. Pelkey had been serving time for the sale of cocaine, possession of cocaine and retail theft for less than $900. Pelkey is described as being a white female standing 5-feet-2-inches tall and 190 pounds with strawberry blond hair and blue eyes. Her last known address was 144 Greven Road, Proctorsville, Vermont. Those with information on Pelkey's whereabouts should call (802) 885-8889.
 
• Suspect Arraigned in Store Robberies: More details are coming to light about Joshua Corliss who robbed the Cavendish General Store and the North Springfield Irving gas station on the same day. Detectives said Corliss suffered a 2-inch cut on his forearm when the co-owner of the Cavendish store struck him with a machete. He continues to be held in pre-trial detention for lack of $50,000 bail. Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Brian Berry wrote in his report that Corliss’ ex-girlfriend described him as “white in the face” when he returned her car midafternoon that Monday, and she said he had an arm injury that he refused to explain, saying she “didn’t need to know.” Rutland Herald
 
* New Food Shelf Administrator at BRGN: Black River Good Neighbor Services (BRGN) is pleased to announce that Krey Kellington is the new Program Administrator in charge of the food shelf and related programs.  Most recently Kellington was a Housing/Property Manager for the Housing Trust of Rutland County. Stop by BRGN, 37B Main Street to meet Kellington. FMI: (802) 228-3663.
 
• Universal Cell Service in VT Elusive: Just one new tower can make a world of difference in towns that have sketchy service, but there’s no way to force service providers to invest in those areas. At this point, it appears there’s not much hope for truly “universal” cell coverage in the Green Mountain State. Vermont Digger
 
3. SIGN UP NOW FOR TOWN POSITIONS
With the return of petitions for Town elected positions due by the close of business on Jan. 25, anyone interested in an elected office, should pick up their application from the town office as soon as possible. Currently, only four petitions have been filed. 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 keeping in mind that Monday, Jan. 18 is Martin Luther King’s Day and the office will be closed.
 
4. CAVENDISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
In late October, TDS representatives informed the Telecommunications Committee that a 10 G “ring” would be installed for those being served from the Proctorsville Central Office (PCO)-Main Street. This is a Calix E7 fiber system, similar to the one being used in NH, where 1 G service is now available to homes. The installation was scheduled to take place in November, and while there was no guarantee, it was anticipated that those along the “spur lines” e.g. Twenty Mile Stream, Chubb Hill, Center Rd, would see improvement in service.
 
A recent conversation with the TDS representative confirmed that the 10 G Ring has been installed but is not operational. Prior to its coming on-line two new boxes need to be installed at the junctions of the Cavendish Pointe Hotel and Twenty Mile Stream/Chapman Rd. This will considerably upgrade speeds in these areas. Expect to see increase in DSL speeds by April 1.
 
5. WARNING OF THE ANNUAL MEETING FOR FIRE DISTRICT 2
Fire District 2 (Cavendish) will meet on Tuesday, February 16, at the Cavendish Town Office at 7:30 to act on the following warning.
• To hear and act on the Auditors Report
• To choose and elect officers: All are for one year terms with the exception of a three year term for a Prudential Committee Member, Moderator, Clerk, Tax Collector, Treasurer, and Auditor
• To see if the voters will vote to raise money and what amount for the purpose of defraying expenses for FY 2016/2017
• To see if the voters will vote to approve sending postcards to the Citizens of District #2 directing them to a web site set up to display the annual report.
 
6. RAISE THE ROOF CONCERT: ATLANTIC CROSSING 1/31
For nearly two decades, the Vermont band Atlantic Crossing has been thrilling concert audiences and contra-dancers with traditional songs and acoustic instrumental music from New England--music which has deep Celtic roots in the British Isles and in French & Maritime Canada--together with original compositions inspired by these traditions.  On Sunday January 31 they will perform in Proctorsville’s Raise the Roof Concert Series at Gethsemane Church. The high spirited quartet, popular in the Vermont acoustic music scene, willfill the rafters of the acoustically perfect little church with their livelymix oftunes that get toes tapping and hands clapping.  Between them they play fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, foot percussion and African djembe drum.  Their concert will be a great way to spend a winter afternoon.  Gethsemane Church is on Depot Street, the music begins at 4:00 and admission is $10 at the door.  And don't forget to take the quick Rte. 103 detour into downtown Proctorsville to get to Depot Street!
 
7. EVENTS
January 16 (Saturday): Texas Hold’em Tournament
January 18 (Monday): Martin Luther King Day. Town Office and schools closed
January 19 (Tuesday): Teacher in-service no school
 
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.

Select Board Meeting 1/11/16

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 was discussed at Monday night’s meeting:

 Green Mountain Railroad Trestle: Discussed several times in 2015 and in previous years, VTrans presented new information about shoring up the embankment for the Green Mountain Railroad trestle on the Cavendish Gulf Rd, which was heavily damaged by tropical storm Irene. This is a public safety issue and therefore needs to be done as soon as possible. Funding for this project is coming from FEMA and the state, which means this is a “no frills” project-restore to original condition. The project was delayed, with FEMA approval, because the initial approach for repair- using brick type construction-had to be scraped due to different ledge levels.

The alternative design will use soil nails and shotcrete. The latter is a concrete that is applied with a hose. It will follow the contour of the hillside and is expected to last approximately 70 years. The concrete will be tinted to provide a better match to the surrounding area and in time will blend into the landscape.

This project must be implemented this summer, otherwise the FEMA funds will not be available. Construction will take place in late June/July and will require the Cavendish Gulf Road to be closed for two weeks with a 72-hour period where the railroad will be shut down. It is possible that with the new construction technique, to open the Gulf Rd at night. Signage will appear well in advance of the construction phase to give people ample time to prepare.

Vermont Clean Water Act (Act 64): Jason Rasmussen of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission (SWCRPC) spoke to the board about Vermont’s new Clean Water Act, which was signed into law this past June. Originally intended for Lake Champlain, it was expanded to address the problem of polluted storm water runoff into Vermont’s lakes and waterways. The law allows the state to:

• Assist towns in meeting their obligation to maintain roads to prevent runoff leading to erosion, which will keep nutrients and sediment (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus) out of Vermont’s water, by helping them implement modern storm water management systems that capture and treat the polluted runoff from roads, streets, and parking lots.

• Direct significant new resources to help farmers and loggers reduce water pollution from their operations, keep livestock out of Vermont’s streams, and seek more careful management of tilling practices and manure application.

• Set up a Clean Water Fund to be funded with a 0.2 percent surcharge on the property transfer tax, which will raise $5.3 million in FY2016.

State standards will need to be developed, along with best practices. These should be in place by 2017 after which towns will be required to conduct inventories of existing areas in proximity to watersheds and develop a priority plan of how improvements will be made. By 2020, the town will need to have a prioritized implementation plan.

Some funds will be available to the town, through Clean Water Fund, Better Back Roads and other programs. SWCRPC will be working with the town to help meet the new law’s requirements. However, there is little that can be done until the state provides standards and guidelines.

Windsor County Youth Services: Tara Chase spoke to the board about the Girls Shelter at 20 Mile Stream as part of the Select Board’s budgetary process. Girls from this program are involved in giving back to the community and WCYS is very appreciative from the help and support from the Cavendish community.

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.