Cavendish Update 5/13/16 SB Mtg/Water/Job/News/Events

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Today’s post has been made possible by a donation from Marcia Packlick. Thank you Marcia. Please support Cavendish Connects so we can continue to provide this valuable service to the community.
5/13/16 Cavendish Update
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 5/9/16 & News
2. Notice: Spring Hydrant Flushing
3. Immediate Job Opening
4. Review of Planning Commission’s Flood Hazard Area Regulations
5. Money for Home Energy Improvements Workshop
6. Beavers in Vermont Workshop
7.Events
 
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 5/9/16  & NEWS: 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 action was taken at Monday night’s meeting:
• Report by the Telecommunications Committee included that Cavendish has been identified as having a minimum of 134 addresses that are considered un served by the state. As such, the town qualifies for state connectivity funding.
• Approved the VT 100 Race’s 2016 plans, which brings the race through parts of Cavendish
• Reviewed and approved 2016 Local Emergency Operations Plan and 2016 re-adoption of the National Incidence Management Systems (NIMS) for town emergencies.
• Approved Stewart Lindberg to Fire District #2 Prudential Board as current chair Michael Stack has moved to California.
• Received updates on various town projects including Memorial Day, Green Up Day and three grants for highway improvements.
 For a more in-depth report, as well as a PDF of the Telecommunications Committee report, go to The Dish.
 GMUHS Changes Bathroom Policy for Transgender Students: After students walked out of classes in protest of how transgender students were told they were unable to use certain bathrooms, school officials decided that any transgender student can use any bathroom for the gender with which that student identifies. WCAX
 
Health Insurance to Increase by more than 8%: The two insurers offering health care plans on the state exchange have submitted proposals to raise premiums by more than 8 percent for 2017. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care submitted their requests to the Green Mountain Care Board, the state’s health care regulatory body, on Wednesday. BCBS is seeking an average increase of 8.2 percent, while MVP has asked for an average increase of 8.8 percent. Times Agrus
 
2. NOTICE: SPRING HYDRANT FLUSHING: From May 17 (Tuesday)-May 19 (Thursday) the Cavendish Municipal Water System will be underdoing spring hydrant flushing from 9-5.  System users are reminded that: Flushing may cause temporary discoloration and turbidity of the water. We apologize for any inconvenience to our users, however this is very important system maintenance procedure must be done each spring and fall. The flushing program allows the pipes to be purged and the hydrants checked for proper operation. Users are advised to avoid drinking the water or washing clothes (especially whites) while discoloration is in evidence. Following hydrant flushing in your area, users should run cold water until it clears before resuming normal use. It is also a good idea to flush residential water heaters after the water clears following a hydrant flush in your area. FMI 226-7291.
 
3. IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING: Four (4) persons needed by Brook Farm Vineyards in Proctorsville to prune grape vines.  Three to five days’ work.  Starts immediately.  Will train.  Pays $10.00 per hour.  Please email brookfarmvineyards@live.com if interested. 
 
4. PLANNING COMMISSION’S FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS: The Cavendish Select Board will meet on May 23 at the Cavendish Town Office at 5 pm to review the revised draft of the Flood Hazard Area Regulations in anticipation of a public hearing for adoption in the near future. Etienne Ting, Chairman of the Cavendish Planning Commission, will be present to highlight the proposed changes, answer questions posed by the Board of Selectmen, and explain the rationale behind the proposed modifications. Other members of the Cavendish Planning Commission are welcomed to join us and participate in this review and discussion. This is a public, open meeting.
 
5. MONEY FOR HOME ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS WORKSHOP: The Cavendish Energy Committee will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cavendish Town Office in association with the USA Solar Store to explain available assistance to homeowners who want to improve the efficiency of their homes.
 
Zero Energy Now is a comprehensive home energy improvement program, providing efficiency upgrades, renewable heating (such as heat pumps and biomass) and solar electric that will reduce your energy costs by 50% to 100%. A qualified general contractor will conduct a detailed analysis of your building and present options for both increasing energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy sources.
 
Participants in Zero Energy Now can receive up to $2,500 in incentives through Efficiency Vermont for home weatherization, as well as 30% Federal solar tax credits. In addition, for a limited time, a bonus incentive of up to $5,000 is available for participants living in the former service territory of Central Vermont Public Service. Also, low-cost financing options are available. The general contractor will coordinate the work of subcontractors to install the improvements you choose.
 
It costs nothing to listen and the savings to you could be huge. For more information on the meeting please call Peter LaBelle at 802-226-7250.  For information on the program, please come to the meeting.
 
6. BEAVERS IN VERMONT WORKSHOP: The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will sponsor a presentation on Beavers and Trapping in Vermont with Fish and Wildlife expert Chris Bernier, head of the fur-bearer project, and James Stewart, long time trapper in our area. The discussion will be held on May 24th at 6:30 p.m. at the Cavendish Town Office meeting room, 126 High Street in Cavendish.
 
The goal of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources in dealing with human-beaver interaction is two-pronged. First, it is interested in maintaining, whenever possible, the valuable wetlands in Vermont that support biodiversity and vital ecological processes. Secondly, it hopes to provide the public with the best information available for managing problem situations that result from beaver activity.
 
This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. Bring your questions and personal stories about the beavers in your backyard. For more information contact Robin Timko at 226-7736.
 
7. EVENTS
MAY 14 (Saturday): Hazardous Waste Collection 9:00- 1:00 Springfield Transfer Station; Chicken & Rib BBQ Benefit at CTES 5:30-7:00
MAY 17 (Tuesday): Bike Path Meeting, 6:30 pm Cavendish Town Office
MAY 17 (Tuesday)-MAY 19 (Thursday) Spring Hydrant flushing of Municipal Water 9-5
MAY 20 (Friday)-May 22 (Sunday): BRGN Spring Rummage Sale, Fletcher Farm
 For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.

Cavendish Select Board Meeting 5/9/16

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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 action was taken at Monday night’s meeting:

Telecommunications: A report on the recent activities of the Telecommunications was given to the SB, which can be downloaded in PDF format. Highlights included that the town is at the top of the list for Connectivity Funding from the state, with at least 134 addresses qualifying as unserved for Internet service. As soon as the state releases the request for proposal (RFP) the committee will meet with Comcast, who is one of the few providers in the state that can actually provide sufficient speeds. TDS experienced a glitch in the new 10G system and are in the process of making repairs. Internet TDS customers can expect to see a real improvement in mid June, including some areas qualifying for 25 Mbps service. It should be noted that TDS’s top speeds would be equivalent to Comcast’s slowest speeds.

 

Cavendish Fire District #2: Michael Slack, Chair of the Prudential Board, has moved to California for work, leaving a vacancy on the board. The SB appointed Stewart Lindberg to fill his position until the District’s next annual meeting, which isn’t until February 2017

 

Emergency Operations Plan: The board approved and adopted the 2016 Local Emergency Operations Plan and re adopted for 2016 the NIMS (National Incidence Management System) for Town emergencies.

 

Highway Grants: Three grants were submitted for various Town highway activities. While no information is available about one grant, the Town has been notified that they will receive funding for the culvert work needed on Greenbush Rd. The paving request was denied. However, by submitting this grant, which was viewed as a long shot, it positions the town for a better chance of funding for next year.

 

Cemetery: The crew from last year will once again be working in the cemeteries. The VT Youth Conservation Core will be in town for two weeks and will be engaging in such activities as removing the chain link fence around Hillcrest Cemetery in preparation for a replacement. Repairs continue on the vault at Hillcrest and should be completed by the end of the summer, making it a sound structure good for many years to come.

 

Memorial Day: In spite of the Depot Bridge closing, the parade will be in Proctorsville, ending at Hillcrest Cemetery. Events take place on Monday, May 30 with the program at the school starting at 10:30 and the parade at 11:30

 

Green Up Day: Fifty volunteers participated in the annual event, with at least 64 bags of trash collected along with other larger items, some of which the Town Highway Dept. had to pick up on Monday.

 

Flood Hazard Area Regulations: The SB will meet on May 23 at the Cavendish Town Office at 5 pm to review the revised draft of the Flood Hazard Area Regulations in anticipation of a public hearing for adoption in the near future.

 

Cavendish Select Board Agenda 5/9/16

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The Cavendish Select Board meeting agenda for May 9 (Monday), 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office, will be as follows:

1. Call the meeting to order

2. Review/approve minutes of the meetings of April 11, 2016

3. Sign Orders

4. Review Correspondence

5. Adjust agenda

6. Hear Citizens

7. Consider request from Cavendish Fire District #2 for the Select Board to appoint a Prudential Committee member to fill a current vacancy and to serve until the next annual meeting of the district.

8. Review letter from the VT100 Race Director, Amy Rusiecki regarding 2016 race plans.

9. Follow-up to discussion/action last month regarding replacement of truck #3 and the disposition of replaced vehicles

10. Review and approve 2016 Local Emergency Operations Plan and 2016 re-adoption of NIMS for the Town of Cavendish

11. Town Manager to review disposition of three recent highway related grant applications

12. Update on town cemetery operations and plans for Memorial Day

13. Summary of 2016 Green-Up Day activities

14. Consider update to Cavendish Municipal Water System By-Laws. The Board of Water Commissioners has made proposed modifications to the existing document and has submitted it to the Board of Selectmen for review and adoption. The manager will distribute printed copies of the edited by-laws and will discuss revision highlights. The manager is requesting that the Select Board consider the revised document for a hearing and adoption of the by-laws at its June 13th monthly meeting.

15. Board to set date for review of Flood Hazard Area Regulations update, set-up an explanatory review meeting with representatives of the Planning Commission and establish a schedule for adoption.

16. Discuss Delinquent Tax related issues:

a. Remaining properties scheduled for tyax sale on May 11th.

b. Discussion of plans for the disposition of the property at 693 Heald Road and recent activities at the site.

c. Discussion of recent actions in the matter of disposition of the Giglio property (North Country condo unit) which was sold at tax sale

17. Discuss Transfer Station matters including further consideration of revisions to the fee schedule

18. Updates on other town activities

19. Other business

20. Adjourn