Town Meeting 2016

Town: All articles of the Annual Town Meeting (page 10 of the Town Report) passed. Inquiries were made about increases in insurance for the town constable and the health insurance for town employees. Town manager, Rich Svec, explained that because the Town Constable, Seth Perry, has all the qualifications of a police officer, his liability needs to be in accordance. For health insurance, the increase of $20,000 is due to a new employee as well as a current employee going from a single to a family plan.

The question was raised if there was a law requiring that the names of delinquent taxpayers continued to be listed in the town report. Since this system creates considerable stress for some of the older residents, who will go to great lengths not to “be in the book,” should this practice continue? The town auditor, Peter LaBelle, said that this is the way it’s always been done and would check to see if it’s a requirement.

Citizens Service Awards: This year’s recipients were to Ginny Garrow, for over 20 years of service to the town and to Will Hunter, who has been a town Justice of the Peace for 22 years and Town and School Moderator since 2010. This was the last Town/School meeting that Will moderated

School: All articles for the school were approved (page 87). Since the budget for the Cavendish Town Elementary School is voted on by Australian ballot on Tuesday, the remainder of the evening was an informational about the town budget.

Considerable concern was raised about the Ballot Warrant for the school’s budget. Article 1 (page 88) states, “Shall the voters of the Cavendish Town Elementary School District approve the school board to expend $1,914,620.00, which is the amount the school board has determined to be necessary for the ensuing fiscal year? It is estimated that this proposed budget, if approved, will result in education spending of $15,266.33 per equalized pupil. This projected spending per pupil is 3.3% lower than spending for the current year.”

 The school budget has actually increased from 1,900,180 in FY16 to 1,914,620 for the proposed Fy17 budget. Viewed as the “Madison Avenue approach” to a warning, a number of people raised concern about how the wording of the warrant since it would imply that costs have gone down when in fact the budget has been increased. According to the school board and town clerk Diane McNamara, this was the language they were required to use by the state, who wants to emphasize the per equalized pupil cost versus the actual budget. To read more on this issue, check out Lyonel Tracy’s Democracy Compromised. Tracy is a former education commissioner in NH and the former superintendent of schools for the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union. 

Principal George Thomson went on to explain the impact of Act 46 (pages 110 and 111), which has been crafted to save money by consolidating districts by July 1, 2019. It has many components, which from the school board up to and through the state Dept. of Education are still being worked on. To help foster better understanding of Act 46, there will be a focus form on Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 pm at CTES.

The request was made that future budgets reflect actual costs for the school year and how the balance, positive or negative, will be dealt with.

There was some concern that the nursing position was reduced to .4-she is there Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8-1. Mr. Thomson explained that the state requirement is one nurse per 500 students, which CTES exceeds. Further, duties that were once performed by the nurse (health education and social services coordination) are now carried out by other staff members.

Handicap accessible parking for the Town Library is not available during the times the school is in session, making the library non compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. While various members of the community had hoped this could be addressed with the new space adjacent to the school, the board indicated that it was too costly to move existing play structures and make necessary changes.

Town Meeting was taped by LPC TV and will soon be available at their website. 

Cavendish Update 2/26/16 News/Town Meeting/Events

Every four years February has an extra day. This year Leap Year Day and Town Meeting are on Monday. Hope to see you there. 

2/26/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Town Meeting 100 Years Ago
3. Free Dinner and a Movie: A Walk in the Woods
4. Free Medicare Boot Camp
5. News From Cavendish’s Local CSA-Little Village Farm
6. Walk & Talk: Return of the Cougar to the East
7. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Cavendish 2015 Annual Report: The Town and School District 2015 Annual Report for Cavendish is now available on-line at the town office, and mailed to all registered voters. Town Meeting is on Monday, Feb. 29, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. Australian Ballot for school budget, town elected positions and presidential primary is on Tuesday, March 1 at CTES. You can obtain an absentee ballot or you can vote early. Call or stop by the town office for an absentee or early ballot. Learn more about Cavendish Voting at The Dish.
 
Low Quality LEDS Flooding the Market: LEDs are known for requiring very little energy to power, lasting for more than 20 years, and providing excellent quality light. Unfortunately, some LED products have recently started to flood the lighting market that may not perform when it comes to light quality, energy savings, and lifetime. These products are made with cheaper parts, they are generally packaged very similarly to higher-quality, certified products, and they tend to sell for a few dollars less apiece. Fortunately, there is one way that shoppers can ensure they are choosing the highest-quality product with guaranteed savings. By opting for LED bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® logo, consumers can rest assured that they are getting the most for their money. Press Release
 
CDC Says It Underestimated Cancer Risk from Lumber Liquidators Flooring: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk of cancer is three times higher than it previously estimated, and it strongly urged Lumber Liquidators customers to take steps to reduce exposure to the substance. The company no longer sells the Chinese-made, laminate products. The higher levels "could cause increased frequency of asthma symptoms and other respiratory issues for people with asthma and COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]." NPR
 
2. CAVENDISH TOWN MEETING 100 YEARS AGO
With Town Meeting slated for Feb. 29 (Monday), the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) thought it would be interesting to see what was being voted on 100 years ago. 
 
This year, there are six articles, which pertain to the passing of the town's budget and adoption of the Town Report, compared to March 6, 1917, where there were 16 articles. The 1917 report was a slim volume, compromised of columns of numbers pertaining income and expenditures. The 2015 report is 138 pages long, available on-line and in print, and, while it contains lots of figures, there is considerable information about town activities, along with pictures and reports from the various community organizations that serve the town. 
 
The warning of articles for the March 6, 1917 Town meeting is available at the CHS Blog.
 
3. FREE DINNER & MOVIE: A WALK IN THE WOODS
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library presents the second dinner and a movie event of the season.  A Walk in the Woods will be shown on Sunday, March 6 at 1:00 PM. The movie is based on the best-selling book by Bill Bryson and tells the story of two men who decide to hike the Appalachian Trail in their 60’s.  It stars Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.  Please be aware that the movie is rated “R” for language. The library will be serving a traditional picnic menu including potato salad, fried chicken, deviled eggs and more. This event is free and open to the public, though donations are welcome. 
 
4. FREE MEDICARE BOOT CAMP
Medicare Boot Camp will be held on Wednesday March 16 from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.  In Springfield.  This learning opportunity is presented by Senior Solutions, which provides unbiased information about the Medicare system.
 
The class is appropriate for anyone who is planning to sign up in the near future. Family members who help elders may also find this class useful. Medicare has strict enrollment periods, and this session will help participants make timely decisions about drug plans and supplemental plans as well as many other issues. This is not a refresher class for those who are currently enrolled in Medicare.
 
Space is limited, and this class has been very popular so pre-registration is required. To register or get full location details, call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119. Additional Medicare classes will be listed at www.seniorsolutionsvt.org.
 
5, NEWS FROM CAVENDISH’S CSA: LITTLE VILLAGE FARM
Cavendish’s only CSA (community supported agriculture) is Little Village Farm (LVF) in Proctorsville. Today, Friday Feb. 26 is National CSA Day. In celebration, LVF is offering a great deal-Sign up online by midnight, and in addition to your tier savings you will receive 10% off all non-produce items in the farm stand all season long!
 
On Saturday February 27th LVF Winter Farm stand will be open. Come to the Farm stand Mudroom between 10am and 2pm to purchase fresh Greenhouse Spinach, Potatoes, Onions, Eggs, Rabbit Meat, Maple Syrup and more!
 
Follow LVF on Facebook or at their website. LVF is located at 48 Mt View Ave., off Depot Street in Proctorsville. Phone 802-226-7231.
 
6: WALK & TALK SERIES: RETURN OF THE COUGAR TO THE EAST  On March 23 (Wednesday), Susan C. Morse of Keeping Track will talk about the return of the cougar to the east coast at 6 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School.
 
There is no question about it. Cougars are not only being seen in eastern North America, some are attempting to recolonize their former habitats. Where once it was flatly dismissed as impossibility in the so-called “developed” east, scientists have now documented cougar dispersals and even occupancy of a growing list of eastern states and provinces. Join us for a magnificently illustrated introduction to cougar biology and ecology in the broad diversity of habitats where Sue has studied them, from Alberta to the Arizona/Mexico border. We will also get the low-down regarding the latest confirmations of cougars in the east, including the recently documented suitability of a substantial amount of wild habitats from Manitoba to Louisiana and Maine to Georgia. It is only a matter of time.
 
Sue Morse, the founder of Keeping Track®, is highly regarded as an expert in natural history and one of the top wildlife trackers in North America. Since 1977 she has been monitoring wildlife with an emphasis on documenting the presence and habitat requirements of bobcat, black bear, Canada lynx and cougar. Keeping Track® is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 out of concern that development in all its forms often unwittingly harms, isolates and even eliminates habitat critical to local biodiversity and broad-scale ecological health.
 
Tickets are available at Crows Bakery on Depot Street in Proctorsville, at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, by mail or at the door. Donations suggested are $5 for adults and $2 for children. For more information please call Claire Walker at (802) 226-7259 or Robin Timko at 802-226-7736
 
7.  EVENTS
February 27 (Saturday): Little Village Farm’s Winter Farm Stand, located 48 Mt. View Ave off of Depot St in Proctorsville is open from 10-2 offering spinach, potatoes, onions, eggs, rabbit meat, maple syrup and more. FMI 226-7231
February 28 (Sunday): Third Annual True Tales: Live Storytelling event. Gethsemane Church off Depot Street in Proctorsville, 4 pm. Admission $10
February 29 (Monday): TOWN MEETING, 7 pm, Cavendish Town Elementary School
March 1 (Tuesday): VOTE, including presidential primary, 10-7 at the Cavendish Town Elementary School. Note that the Community Luncheon, usually scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month, will be held on Tuesday March 8 due to the election. Please vote.
March 4 (Friday): 225th Anniversary of VT Statehood
 
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects February Calendar. 

Exercise Your Right to Vote in Cavendish

With the Town Report now available in print and in PDF format it is time to think about exercising your important right to vote, which is now much easier than in the past. Whether you are concerned about weather, having to work, being away, or another reason, you can vote early or by absentee ballot for a presidential candidate and/or town elections by:

• Calling (802-226-7292) or stopping by the Town Office in Cavendish to vote early or pick up an Absentee Ballot.

• Going to the VT Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to arrange for an Absentee Ballot or early voting form.

Not a registered voter? You can register on-line or by contacting the Town Office. In order to vote on March 1, you must register to vote by Wed. Feb. 24, 5 pm.

Have questions about voting? Call the Town Office 226-7292

Important Dates and Times

• Feb 24 (Wednesday): Voter registration for the March 1 election must be completed by 5 pm.  Town Meeting Information Forum, sponsored by the CCCA, 6 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

• Feb. 29 (Monday): Town meeting at Cavendish Town Elementary School, 7 pm. The town budget is voted on at this meeting. It is information only for the CTES budget

• March 1 (Tuesday): Voting for Presidential primary candidate; school budgets, town elected positions. Cavendish Town Elementary School, 10-7 

Cavendish Update 12/19/16 News/Water/Classifieds

1st School District in Cavendish-Center and Town Farm Roads. 

2/19/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish Municipal Water
3. Cavendish Classifieds
4. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Unapproved Minutes of Feb Select Board Meeting Now Available: The minutes from the Feb. Selectmen’s meeting are now available on-line. Action taken at the meeting included: Approved second class liquor license for Singleton’s; Signed the Certificate of No Appeal or Suit Pending for the VT Division of Valuation and Review that would dispute the 2015 grand list; Reviewed and approved Amendment #1 to the Finance and Maintenance between the Agency of Transportation and the Town of Cavendish for the railroad underpass on the Cavendish Gulf Rd; Considered Dean Kauppinen’s application and request for approval of waste and water connections on a four unit apartment off Depot St in Proctorsville; Adopted the Resolution as drafted by Rutland Town to Increase the Input of Vermont Municipalities Regarding the Siting of Renewable Energy Projects in Certificate of Public Good Proceedings Before the Public Service Board. Download Minutes in PDF format. The meeting can also be watched on LPC-TV.
 
Proposed Legislation Would Base School on Income, Not Property Value: Recent legislative attempts to provide property tax relief have focused on ways to curb the growth in education spending. Legislation has been introduced that changes the way the money is raised. Under the plan, Vermonters would pay property taxes based on income, rather than the value of their homes.  Under the Pearson/Pollina proposal, the answer is to have everyone pay 2.5 percent of their income to the education fund, regardless of how much their property is worth. VPR
 
VT Cops are Scanning More License Plates than Ever, But Not Having More Success: Police collected 8.66 million snapshots of license plates across Vermont in the 18 months leading up to Dec. 31, 2015. Each entry includes the time and location where each license plate was spotted by an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. That total is up 2.6 percent from the 18-month period ending Dec. 31, 2014, and up 9.3 percent from the 18 months ending Dec. 31, 2013. Despite privacy concerns surrounding the technology, lawmakers are set to continue to allow police to collect and retain data about thousands of Vermonters without the results the Legislature would need to know if the technology makes the public safer. VPR
 
2. CAVENDISH MUNICIPAL WATER
Various community members on town water have posted pictures and concerns to the Cavendish VT Facebook page about discoloration. In response, the town issued the following statement on Feb.17, “During the past two weeks the Cavendish Municipal Water System has been performing maintenance tasks on the filtration system under the guidance of the filtration equipment manufacturer. Some of these activities may have caused some temporary light coloration in the finish water. Not all, but some parts of the distribution system have experienced this tint to the water. Reports have shown that the central part of the distribution network has been affected while consumers at the ends of the system have not. This condition is hoped to be short lived and several of the folks who have reported coloration have subsequently reported that the water has already cleared.
 
Consumers should be assured that, at all times during the maintenance activities, the water has remained potable and does not present any health issue. Testing, both routine and extra, by both in-house and outside labs, has been conducted and has detected no evidence to suggest any health concern.
 
If system users have any questions about this matter, they are requested to contact the Town Manager at the Cavendish Town Office either at 226-7291, in person, or by email at townmanager @cavendishvt.org. Reports of coloration or other observations are also welcome at the same contact points as such feedback is valuable to us in operating the water system and detecting and responding to situations that may arise.”
 
3. CAVENDISH CLASSIFIEDS
Free: Exercise bike/arm machine (in good condition!). A/C unit--still worked before it went into storage. If interested call 226-7048. 
 
4. EVENTS
February 24 (Wednesday): Town Meeting Information Forum, sponsored by the CCCA, 6 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.
 
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects February Calendar.