Cavendish Update 1/22/16 News/Scholarship/Event

This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible by a donation from Gary McElligott. Thank you for your support. If you have not made a donation recently, please consider doing so that we can continue to provide the Update in February
 
1/22/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Barbara Jean Barker Memorial Scholarship
3. Free Dinner and a Movie at the Cavendish Library
4. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Claremont Wal-Mart No Longer 24/7 Starting Feb. 1: Beginning Feb. 1, Wal-Mart in Claremont will no longer be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Instead, the store will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight, but still seven days a week. The move comes as Wal-Mart announced plans to close 269 stores globally and in the U.S. as part of an effort to streamline operations that will result in the loss of approximately 16,000 jobs. No stores in the twin state region are slated to close.
 
Cavendish Elected Position Vacancies: Jan. 25 (Monday), 5 pm is the date and time petitions, with signatures by registered voters, must be filed for all elected town positions (e.g. Select board, school board etc.). This year, there is a vacancy for Town Moderator and School Moderator. If you are interested, please stop by the Town Office. FMI: 802-226-7292
 
2. BARBARA JEAN BARKER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The General Federation of Women's Clubs of Vermont (GFWC - VT), announces the availability of this year's Barbara Jean Barker Memorial scholarship. This non-traditional scholarship is offered to Vermont women who are displaced homemakers and have lost their primary means of support through death, divorce or separation of a spouse, disability or long-term unemployment of a spouse. Eligible women are those who are in need of education or training to enter the work force. Applicants must submit a specific plan for their education or training.
 
The scholarships range from $500 to $1500. This is the 22nd year of awarding this financial aid, which is funded through GFWC state federated clubs and individuals. In those 22 years women from a wide range of communities throughout the state have received the award.
 
The memorial scholarship is named for Barbara Jean Barker of Poultney who served as Vermont state federation president from 1992 - 1994 and who was instrumental in establishing this scholarship program. The scholarships will be awarded at the state federation annual meeting in May 2016.
 
Applications for the Barbara Jean Barker Memorial Scholarship can be obtained from Midge Tucker, 4246 Route 100, Plymouth VT 05056, midgetucker@gmail.com, 802-672-3086. Applications are also available through federated women's clubs in several Vermont towns including the local GFWC Okemo Valley Women's Club, which has placed applications in locations around Ludlow including Fletcher Memorial Library and Black River Good Neighbor Services thrift store.  
 
3. FREE DINNER AND A MOVIE AT THE CAVENDISH LIBRARY
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library presents the first dinner and a movie of the year on Sunday January 31 at 1:00 in the library.  It will feature the first few episodes of the hit television series “Outlander” and a generous tasting of Scottish food.  This event is free and open to the public, though donations are gratefully accepted.
 
4. EVENTS
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects January Calendar. For regional events, check out the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Calendar.

Select Board Agenda 1/20/16

Selectmen’s Budget Work Session Meeting, Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 in the Cavendish Town Office Meeting Room at 6:00 PM.

1. Call the meeting to order

2. Review Correspondence

3. Final review of FY 2016-2017 Selectmen’s Budget including some adjustment suggestions offered by the manager.

4. Discuss draft of the March 2016 Annual Town Meeting Warning

5. Town Manager to request purchase of a new hot water high pressure washer using funds from the Capital Equipment Fund.

6. Adjourn by 7:15 pm sharp

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.