Cavendish Update 5-6-16: News/Jobs/Events/Donate

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5/6/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Cavendish-Ludlow Bike Path Meeting
3. Chicken & Rib BBQ Benefit
4. Free Events for Collection and Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste
5. Job Openings CTES 2016-2017
6. BRGN Spring Rummage Sale
7. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
Opening Day 2016 at Greven Field: The baseball season officially began for Cavendish youth on April 30. VT Journal
 
VT Wireless Signal Reaches 95% of Planned Territory: The president of VTel, Michel Guite, testified in front of two key Vermont legislative committees, Senate Finance Committee and House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, about the company’s progress on a $116 million telecommunications project. Guite said the company provides “superb” Internet service through its wireless towers, and he asked the Senate Finance Committee not to move forward with S.R.13, a resolution that asks the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service to audit progress on the World of Wireless project. “The idea has been widely accepted that we had promised to serve absolutely every home in Vermont that didn’t have service,” Guite said, “and my answer this morning is that VTel never committed to serve all unserved households and anchor institutions in Vermont.” VT Digger Note: According to the Cavendish Connects Internet Speed Test Survey of October 2015, those using VTel had average speeds of 2.80/1.23 Mbps, which is well below the state requirement for broadband of 4/1Mbps. Further, residents in various parts of town that were supposed to be served by VTel have been unable to connect as the wireless system has not worked as promised-the wireless system does not go through leaves, trees and buildings. VPR also provided an article on Guite’s presentation Is VTel Committed to Bring Service to Unserved Vermonters?
 
The Work and Wages of VT’s Women: Women are significantly more likely than men to live in poverty or economic insecurity in Vermont. And 43 percent of Vermont women who work full-time do not make enough to cover basic living expenses. VPR
 
Private Wells in New England Contribute to Bladder Cancer:  Researchers from Dartmouth College and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services looked at populations in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, where they said the incidence of bladder cancer is 20 percent higher than the rest of the country. The study showed dug wells, especially those put in before 1960, might contain arsenic. Previous studies have found drinking water with high levels of arsenic increase the risk of bladder cancer. WPTZ
 
Chester Police Charge Two in Animal Protection Society: Following a three-month investigation, the Chester Police Department has cited Mary Donaldson and Jessica (Remy) Fecteau, both of Chester Webster's House Animal Shelter, formerly known as TARPS, on May 1. The charges follow three months of police investigations into their practices and treatment of animals at the facility. Former Sullivan County Humane Society board member Susan Fleming said in April that kittens had been drowned in buckets at the shelter, and that autopsies performed on several cats had confirmed the cause of death as drowning. The Message
 
2. CAVENDISH-LUDLOW BIKE PATH MEETING On May 17 (Tuesday), Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission will be on hand to discuss new grant opportunities for a bike path from Cavendish to Ludlow. The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office. All those interested in seeing this happen should attend.  FMI: Bruce McEnaney 802-226-7292
 
3.  CHICKEN & RIB BBQ BENEFIT: A chicken and ribs BBQ, plus silent auction, will be held on Saturday, May 14th at the Cavendish Town Elementary School from 5:30-7:00 pm. All proceeds from the evening will go to Cara Tyrrell's family to offset expenses due to her recent illness. Please come out as it will be a fun night! $12 per person, $6 kids 6-12, and free for 5 and under. There will be options for vegetarians, vegans and those on gluten free diets. FMI: 802-226-8113 or mrsawgross@hotmail.com
 
4. EVENTS FOR COLLECTION & SAFE DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE: The Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring free events for the collection and safe disposal of household hazardous wastes.  Only residents and businesses from Andover, Athens, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor, Vermont may participate.  No pre-registration for residents. Businesses must pre-register and will be charged for disposal costs.  The collections will be held on Saturday, May 14 at the Springfield Transfer Station from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 21 at the former Goodyear Building in Windsor from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Bring in a mercury fever thermometer and receive a new digital fever thermometer. For more information, call 674-9235 or click on www.vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what to bring and what not to bring.
 
5. JOB OPENINGS CTES 2016-2017
- Part time School Nurse (.4 FTE)
- Bus Driver - Must have a CDP and Bus Driver endorsement. Will train if necessary.
- Paraprofessional (part time SpEd and regular ed ) for Kindergarten. Full time during the school year.
- Supervisor of Building, Grounds and Maintenance Full Time year round position.
 Interested candidates should contact:
George O Thomson, Principal
Cavendish Town Elementary School
P.O. Box 236
Proctorsville, VT 05153
Phone 802-226-7758
Email: george.thomson@trsu.org
 
6. BRGNS To Hold Spring Rummage Sale: Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow on Friday and Saturday, May 20th and 21st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday May 22nd from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The sale will feature clothing, housewares, books, linens, furniture and all manner of goods. “ Proceeds from the sale are used to purchase food for the food shelf or are used for financial assistance programs in the community. BRGNS also runs a thrift store at 37B Main Street in Ludlow – behind the Ludlow Community Center.  Its programs serve Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth. FMI: Audrey at 802-228-3663.
 
7. EVENTS
MAY 7 (Saturday): Green Up Day-Meet on the Proctorsville Green at 9am for bags, gloves and routes-BBQ at noon; LPC-TV Kentucky Derby Gala
MAY 9 (Monday): Select Board meeting
MAY 14 (Saturday): Chicken & Rib BBQ Benefit
 
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.
 

Job Openings CTES 2016-2017

The following jobs are expected for the 2016/2017 school year at Cavendish Town Elementary School:

- .Part time School Nurse (.4 equivalent)

- Bus Driver - Must have a CDP and Bus Driver endorsement. We will train if necessary.

- Paraprofessional (part time SpEd and regular ed ) for Kindergarten. Full time during the school year.

- Supervisor of Building, Grounds and Maintenance Full Time year round position.

If interested, contact:

George O Thomson, Principal

Cavendish Town Elementary School

P.O. Box 236

Proctorsville, VT 05153

Phone 802-226-7758

Email: george.thomson@trsu.org

Cavendish Update 4/29/16 News/Fire/Jobs

4/29/16 Cavendish Update

1. Help Prevent Fires

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Job Opening

4. Red Sox Tickets

5. Events

1. HELP PREVENT FIRES: In the last several weeks, the town’s firefighters have been going almost none stop. Proctorsville Fire Department alone responded to 16 calls in 7 days. The gorgeous blue skies, low humidity and winds have set up the perfect conditions for brush fires. A child playing with a found lighter, a cigarette butt tossed out a window, or burning trash in a metal container can set off incredible devastation in these situations. 

While the majority of calls for our fire fighters have been mutual aid to other towns, it’s important that everyone understands and observes some basic rules:

• Do not open burn: This includes burning in burn barrels and fire pits. Open burning is anything that is not in a wood stove and by law any outside fire is required to have a permit.

• Do not toss cigarette butts on the ground or out the car window. Dispose of properly

• Do not leave matches, lighters or other materials around for children to find and use

• Follow the VT’s Division of Fire Safety’s guidelines for Barbecue Grills

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Barbara Kingsbury Has Died: We have recently learned that the author of “Chubb Hill Farm and Cavendish Vermont,” Barbara Kingsbury died on April 7 in South Dakota. Her obituary is available at The Brookings Register. 

 Congratulations Elliot and Thank You Zach: Cavendish Elementary School alumni Elliot Thompson (his Mom Ann is the 5th grade teacher) recently won VTel’s video contest with his short film “Life Gives You Lemons.” Thompson is currently a senior at Springfield High School and a student in the audio video production class at River Valley Technical Center and will be attending film school at Chapman University Dodge Film School. He won $1,000 for his film and credits his teacher, Proctorsville resident Zach McNaughton and the classes he has taken over the last three years for his skills. The Message 

 Expungement Law Available to Young Adult Offenders: The Springfield Restorative Justice Center (SRJC) is now offering assistance to community members from Southern Windsor County who want to take advantage of a criminal record expungement law that went into place last year. SRJC is now working with Vermont residents who committed a crime before the age of 25 and seek for that crime to be removed from their criminal record. FMI springfieldrjc@vermontel.net or 802-885-8707 Eagle Times 

 Congressional Delegation is seeking information on VTeL: Vermont’s congressional delegation (Sanders, Leahy, and Welch) is seeking information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service on the $116 million broadband project that VTel Wireless started in 2010. VT Digger 

 Unclaimed Property Owner: Every so often it’s worth checking the VT Treasury Dept’s “unclaimed property owners’ list.”  Lots of names for Cavendish and Proctorsville this time. 

Thinking About Changing Cell Carriers? If you are, check out the article, Before You Switch Wireless Carriers Read This

Frozen Vegetable Recall Affects 35 States Including VT and NH: The items —including frozen peas, corn and mixed vegetables — “have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious health issues particularly for pregnant women, newborns, older adults and those with a weakened immune system. The veggies were sold between Sept. 13, 2015 and March 16 2016 and include stores such as Costco and brands such as Schwan’s Wellsley Farms Organic, Organic by Nature. So far there have been no illnesses associated with this recall. To learn more, go to the FDA website

3. JOB OPENING: Are you enthusiastic about recycling? Are you interested in part time work? The Cavendish Town Transfer Station is currently looking to hire an attendant. Please apply in person at the Cavendish Town Office, 37 High St. Cavendish or e-mail brucem@cavendishvt.org The Town of Cavendish is an equal opportunity employer.

4. RED SOX TICKETS: Again this summer Gethsemane Church is raffling off two pairs of Red Sox tickets :  Tampa Bay on July 8, first base grandstand or  NY Yankees, August 10, right field box.  Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets.  Don't. Miss this opportunity to visit historic Fenway Park and see David Ortiz play his last season.  For tickets, call Barbara Dickey, 226-7187, or email Barbara.dickey5@gmail.com

5. EVENTS

APRIL 29 (Friday): Murder Mystery Dinner at the Golden Stage Inn, 7 pm. Tickets are $25 and include dinner. Benefits Cavendish Library

APRIL 30 (Saturday): Got Drugs? Turn in unused or expired medications for safe disposal, 10-2. Local sites include Ludlow, Springfield, Chester and Windsor Police stations as well as the Weathersfield Transfer Station. Needles will not be accepted.

MAY 4 (Wednesday): Planning Commission meeting

MAY 7 (Saturday): Green Up Day-Meet on the Proctorsville Green at 9am for bags, gloves and routes-BBQ at noon; LPC-TV Kentucky Derby Gala

 For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar. 

Cavendish Update 4/22/16 Wi-Fi Calling/Tag Sale/Volunteers

4/22/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Related News
2. Improve Cell Coverage with Wi-Fi Calling
3. 6th Annual Town Wide Tag Sale-7/30/16
4. Volunteers Needed
5. Events
 
1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
CORRECTION: Last week we reported thatProctorsville resident Jace Provance took the bronze at Nationals for Skiercross. He actually took the gold!!!
 
Thank a firefighter today! For the last three days, Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments have been battling one brush fire after another. Fortunately none have been in Cavendish. Please honor the red flag warnings –no burning-and dispose of cigarettes properly and not thrown from cars. For a report on the most recent fire see the Eagle Times.
 
Congratulations to Lisa Marks on Another Successful Marathon: Proctorsville resident Lisa Marks once again completed the Boston Marathon running as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) team. Since 1990, DFMC has raised more than $74 million, resulting in improved survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients everywhere. The largest charity group in the Boston Marathon, the 2016 DFMC team aims to raise $5.4 million in pursuit of the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.
 
April Showers Bring Construction Season: Various projects taking place late spring and through the summer could impact travel in and around the area, including: Springfield; I-91 Bridge Brattleboro; and other parts of Vermont (Check the VT 511 Online Map for roadwork, closures, obstructions, detours etc.)
 
House Asks Federal Government to Audit VTel Wireless Project: Fifty-one lawmakers are calling on federal regulators to conduct an audit of a $116 million telecommunications project that started in 2010. Five senators and 46 representatives have signed on to sponsor concurrent resolutions in the Senate and House asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to examine VTel Wireless’s performance in building out wireless broadband infrastructure. The identical resolutions ask the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service to also do a financial audit of the grant and loan that VTel received and to require VTel to finish building three remaining towers on the project. VTel was awarded an $81.7 million grant and a $35.2 million loan in 2010 to run fiber-optic cable to households and major institutions in the Springfield area and build 119 towers and antennas to set up a system of wireless broadband in the state’s most rural areas. VT Digger
 
Flu Season Not Over in VT: Health officials say the flu is unpredictable, and that's definitely been the case this year. Typically by now the flu season is certainly winding down, but we had a late start to the flu season, but it's just one of those years where it started later and it's continuing on. WCAX
 
New Rules Would Lower Rates for Net Metered Power: The Public Service Board is taking public comment on proposed rules that would lower the reimbursement rate utilities pay for net-metered power. The scheme also incentivizes development in preferred locations, and subsidizes projects that keep renewable energy credits in-state. Utilities and state officials say the new rules will tie net-metered power prices closer to the market rate. Net metering customers who sell energy to utilities get reimbursed at a particularly high rate, in order to subsidize development of small-scale (fewer than 500 kilowatts) renewable-energy projects. Currently, net-metered customers get paid 19 cents per kilowatt-hour for whatever they produce in excess of what they use. The wholesale market rate for power purchased by utilities runs as low as 6 cents per kilowatt hour. Utilities say “under ideal circumstances,” power companies could still pay up to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour for some projects. Most net-metering customers, however, would get a significantly reduced rate under the proposed rules. The Public Service Board is taking public comment until May 12. The board will convene public meetings May 4 and 5. VT Digger
 
2. IMPROVE CELL COVERAGE WITH WI-FI CALLING
In continuing to look for solutions to the reduced cell coverage in Cavendish due to the G4 upgrade, check and see if your iPhone or smart phone has Wi-Fi Calling capability.
 
Instead of relying on the cellular phone network, WI-FI calling and texting uses an available Wi-Fi network to place your call over the Internet. This can be very handy when there isn’t a signal or it’s spotty at best-perfect for our rural area. It can also work if you are traveling in other countries. In fact for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile & Sprint there is free international Wi-Fi Calling services via iOS 9.3 update for iPhones.
 
Wi-Fi calling is not new as apps like Skype, Google Hangouts FaceTime, Google Voice, Line,  and WeChat allow users to make voice and video calls and send text messages over the Internet and forgo mobile networks altogether. As this option has become increasingly more beneficial to users, cell carriers have shown increasing interest in adopting Wi-Fi calling themselves. Whether it's because they want to bolster their network coverage or improve user experience, but it’s looking more and more like the next cellular upgrade (G5) will be via the Internet. However, G5 isn’t expected until 2020.
 
Read the full article, which includes how to check your phone for this feature, at The Dish. Note that one resident has already commented about her experience with Wi-Fi Calling, At one point AT&T provided free Microcell units that did a very good job of boosting cell signals. Our unit ceased working but happily it's no longer needed as WiFi Calling provides a great connection.
 
3. 6th ANNUAL TOWN WIDE TAG SALE 7/30/16
While the Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale is three months away, now is a good time to decide if your community group wants to have vendor space on one of the village greens and/or you would like to be listed under “Places to Shop & Eat.” There are a few changes this year. We will be allowing vendors from other towns on the greens for a fee. This will help to increase shoppers. For more information on the Tag Sale, please go to the link that has been set up for this purpose at The Dish.
 
4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), the town and the 6th graders at Cavendish Town Elementary School on May 3 (Tuesday) will spend the day going to all seven of the town’s cemeteries, to lay flags on Veterans’ graves, clean headstone and help to clean up from the winter storms. Drivers and assistance with food for the kids and volunteers is needed. If you can help out, please contact Margo at margocaulfield@icloud.com (yes it’s a new e-mail address) or 802-226-7807.
 
5. EVENTS
APRIL 22 (Friday): Passover; Earth Day
APRIL 29 (Friday): Murder Mystery Dinner at the Golden Stage Inn, 7 pm. Tickets are $25 and include dinner. Benefits Cavendish Library
 
For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.