Cavendish Update 12/2/16 Town Mang/News/Events

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The word is quickly spreading through town that the new Town Manager will be Brendan McNamara. At Wednesday night’s GMUHS board meeting, McNamara resigned as the Facilities and Transportation Supervisor in order to take the new position. Growing up in Proctorsville, McNamara now lives across the Cavendish Green, so it's a very short commute to work for him. In addition to his job at GMUHS, McNamara served a one-year term as a Cavendish Selectmen.

12/2/16 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Cavendish Historical Society Update

3. The Cavendish Community Theater presents 'It's About Believing"

4. DG Bodyworks Opening in Proctorsville

5. Annual Tree of Remembrance

6. Events

 

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Services for Carmine Guica: Calling hours for WWII veteran, and one of the founders of the Cavendish Historical Society, will take place on Friday, Dec. 2 from 4-6 pm at the Adams Funeral Home in Ludlow. Guica’s funeral will be at 11 am on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Cavendish Baptist Church. A military burial will follow at the Cavendish Village Cemetery. Legacy Obituary 

 Cavendish Robbery Resolved: Springfield police have recovered an all-terrain vehicle stolen last week in Cavendish and arrested two area men in connection with the case. Matthew Horton, 27, of Cavendish, and Aaron Montgomery, 27, of Springfield, were arrested Saturday in Springfield after they were seen riding the stolen ATV. Rutland Herald 

TRSU ACT 46 Planning Committee Special Meeting: In order to address the consolidation of schools via the Act 46 law, a committee of Twin River Supervisory Union schools, of which Cavendish is a member, has been meeting monthly for about a year. The group was charged with saving approximately $650,000. The proposed plan is to have one regional high school, a single regional middle school (6-8 grades) and 4 elementary schools (2 preK-5 and 2 K-5). CTES’s sixth grade would move to the regional middle school. Meetings are being held throughout the TRSU to look at the various options. Minutes of the Nov. 29 meeting are available on-line .  Note that Act 46 was created in response to Vermont’s 20% decline in students and the low student-to-teacher ratio. The purpose of the law is to create larger districts to realize savings in education spending and give more educational options. Two more meetings are scheduled for December, one in Ludlow and the other in Baltimore.

Cavendish/Ludlow Roadways to be Reclassified: Three roads are in the process of being reclassified from Class III to Class II: Commonwealth Avenue, Barker Road and Quent Phelan Road. The roads link Vermont Route 103 in Ludlow with the Class II road Twenty Mile Stream in Cavendish. The reclassification of these roadways will have little noticeable effect on the general public. There is some basic redrawing of maps and slight reworking of the words in each of the town’s annual highway inventories. In order for either of these towns to have chance for a successful application, both Ludlow and Cavendish have to apply. The Cavendish Select Board has approved a motion to submit the application and hold a public hearing. VT Journal 

Select Board Approves the Installation of Heat Pumps for the Town Office: The Cavendish Solar array is providing an excess of energy credits from Green Mountain Power. The town’s Energy Committee and Select board agreed  to the purchase and installation of three heat pump units for the town office, not to exceed $13,000. The costs of operating will be off set by   the surplus of solar credits. The current heating system will be kept as a backup. It is expected that the heaters will be installed before January. VT Journal 

 Vermonters in Crisis Can Now Text Message for Help: A partnership between the Vermont Department of Mental Health and the national organization Crisis Text Line, lets Vermonters in crisis text a message to people trained to help them 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Text should be sent with the letters "VT" to 741741.

VT-Able: Vermonters who experience a disability will soon be able to save money in a federally tax-advantaged VT-ABLE savings plan, making VT one of only a handful of states to offer a plan since President Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act into law. VT Digger 

$5 Trees in Green Mountain Forest: U.S. Forest Service officials in Vermont are encouraging the public to purchase Christmas tree removal permits should they be interested in a five-dollar tree for the holidays. This year, all fourth graders can take advantage of the Every Kid in a Park Initiative and get a free Christmas tree voucher found here: www.everykidinapark.gov. Fourth graders that present a printed copy of the voucher may redeem it for an EKIP Pass and a Christmas tree removal permit at U.S. Forest offices in Rutland or Manchester. VT Digger 

 

2. CAVENDISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY UPDATE: With the recent passing of Carmine Guica, CHS has been asked whether Carmine ever wrote an autobiography. He in fact did and CHS published it in 2007. No editing was done to the text, so it reads just as Carmine spoke. Copies of the book are available at the Cavendish Town Office and will be for sale at the Dec. 3 (Saturday) Abundance Swap, 9-11:30 at the Cavendish Elementary School along with Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History. Both books sell for $15. Please note that there are limited copies of Carmine’s book.

The fall edition of Scribbler II is now available on line at the CHS blog. The December News Briefs has also been posted to the blog. 

On December 14, CHS will be holding its annual daylong workshop at Cavendish Town Elementary School. Each year a theme based on the cultures of those who helped to create the town is selected. This year’s theme is "South of the Border" as we have a number of people who have come from Mexico, El Salvador etc. Most have sought sanctuary here. 

Two of the projects come directly from Cavendish residents. Years ago Jose Aleman, his children graduated from CTES and are now at GMUHS, showed us how they made papel picado (paper cuts) in El Salvador, which the 2nd graders will be doing. Ernestine (Stine) van Schaik has spent a large part of her adult life working in South America. She now comes to Cavendish for about two months in the summer and recently sent us a project she does with young children. The 6th graders will be helping the kindergarteners with this project.

Additional projects will include: Wool stars (1st grade/Peru); tropical fruit paper ornaments (3rd grade/Brazil); stars or soda can art (4th grade/common through out the continent); and poinsettias (5th grade). The 6th grade is working on making piñatas for every class, which can be “opened” on the last day of school.

CHS is in need of volunteers to help with the piñata making (Monday Dec 5 and 12 in the afternoon) and with items for the piñatas. If you have items you’d like to donate-hard wrapped candy (no chocolate or nuts); small toys or other tiny items-please drop them off at the school before December 14. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

 

3. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY THEATER PRESENTS IT’S ABOUT BELIEVING: This Holiday Program is for everyone and includes some of your favorite songs, readings and skits from iconic holiday movies and other surprises. Come join us on Sunday, December 11th at 4:00 P.M. at the Gethsemane Church (next to Crows Bakery) on Depot Street, Proctorsville, Vermont. FREE ADMISSION. All donations received will be given to the church. FMI call 226-7398.

 

4. DG BODYWORKS OPENING IN PROCTORSVILLE: Denise Gebroe LMY, CPT is opening a message therapy and personal training studio at 7 Depot Street in Proctorsville-the former Six Loose Ladies site – by the Proctorsville Green. Certified in personal training and massage therapy, Gebroe offers unique methods to bridge the gap between massage therapy and personal training to improve overall physical wellness for a well-balanced life.

Denise will be holding a grand opening at her new studio on Dec. 10 from 12-5,which will be filled with food, music,  free demos, group fitness classes, prizes- win a free massage. Classes will be held every Saturday at 10:45 pm. Classes are $10, but punch cards will be sold 10 classes for $50 ($5 a class) for one day only on Dec. 10, so stock up. Punch cards will normally be $60.

As part of the opening celebration, Alysia Redfield  will be doing a free Zumba workshop at 12:30. Alysia will be teaching regular classes on Saturday mornings at 10:45 starting Saturday, Dec. 17 at dg Bodyworks.

Check out Denise’s website and Facebook page. You can call 973-902-4955 or e-mail denisegebroe@gmail.com to arrange an appointment.

 

5, ANNUAL TREES OF REMEMBRANCE: The GFWC Okemo Valley Women's Club annual Trees of Remembrance are lit in two places; Veteran's Memorial Park in Ludlow and the Common in Proctorsville. These community trees honor and remember friends, relatives and loved ones during the holidays and will be illuminated in December and January. A community tree lighting ceremony will take place in Ludlow on Saturday, Dec. 10th at 6pm at the Tree of Remembrance in Veteran's Memorial Park. There will be carol singing to celebrate the event and this festive season. All are invited to attend. 

GFWC Okemo Valley Women's Club is accepting donations in any amount to remember your loved ones. This fundraiser will benefit Black River High School and Cavendish Town Elementary School students.  In return, the names of those you wish remembered during this holiday season will be printed weekly in local newspapers. 

Donations, payable to GFWC Okemo Valley Women's Club, can be sent to Roxie Davis, 126 Newton Rd., Proctorsville, VT 05153 or Pam Bruno, 25 Tepper Drive, Ludlow, VT 05149.

 

6. EVENTS

DECEMBER 3 (Saturday): 3rd Annual Abundance Swap-9:30-11:30 CTES multi purpose room. Note that copies of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History will be available for signing and for purchase. Carmine Guica’s autobiography will also be available for purchase. FMI 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

14th Annual Holiday Fair: December 3 9am-3pm at the Proctorsville Fire Department MainSt. Proctorsville. Hosted by St James United Methodist Church and local nonprofits. Crafts, gifts, raffles, goodies, and lunch are available!

• Indulgence Tour: Visit 11 local inns including Golden Stage and The Castle) on Dec. 3-4 sampling foods and other treats. Learn more and purchase tickets ($10 a piece) by going to the Indulgence Tour webpage or Facebook sites

CVFD Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale: Christmas trees start at $30 and Wreaths at $12. Sale is from 9-5

• PVFD Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale:   9am – 4 pm VT Grown Frasier Firs Trees start at $30; Wreaths are $15 Benefits the PFD Equipment Fund . Jr Firefighters will also be collecting VT redeemable cans and bottles to benefit the Jr Firefighters program.

DECEMBER 4 (Sunday): CVFD (9-5) and PVFD Tree & Wreath Sale (9-4) continues

DECEMBER 5 (Monday): Cavendish Select Board meeting continues to meet regarding the hiring of a new town manager. The meeting is at 7 pm at the Town Office, and will be in executive session most of the time and not open to the public.

DECEMBER 6 (Tuesday): Community luncheon at Gethsemane Church, off Depot Street in Proctorsville at noon. This month “Market Street” meat loaf, described on Good Morning America as the ultimate meat loaf, full of wonderful flavors is being served. Donations accepted. 

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

Crime Watch: Cavendish Robbery

On November 25th, 2016 at approximately 8:00 am the State Police responded to a report of a theft of an ATV. The ATV is a yellow 2007 Can-am with registration AT125S. It is believed that the ATV was driven from the Perley Brown road towards Route 10. If anyone has any information regarding the incident please contact Trooper Soule at 802-722-4600.

Cavendish Update 11/25/16 C.Guica/News/Events

Carmine Guica in his younger days. 

 IF YOU COUNT ON CAVENDISH CONNECTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU.

                                          SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of WWII veteran and Cavendish Historian Guica on Nov. 23. More information about Carmine is available at the Cavendish Historical Society Blog. Our condolences to Carmine’s family, friends and to our town who lost a remarkable man. As  funeral arrangements become available, they will be posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page.

 

11/27/16 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Cavendish Welcomes the Holiday Season Dec. 3-4

3. Events

 

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Cavendish’s ‘Abundance Swap’ a Black Friday Antidote: If you’re tired of all the Black Friday hype, a group in Cavendish is offering up an antidote: Cavendish Connects is sponsoring its third annual Abundance Swap on Saturday, Dec. 3. VPR 

Test Show Many High School Students Aren’t on Track for College: Across the state, students in all grades who took standardized tests last spring had an easier time showing they were proficient in English than in math. In many Vermont high schools, students aren’t ready for college coursework in math, and some aren’t ready for college English either. VTDigger analyzed schools’ average scores to see where students are performing at the level set for proficiency. Younger students performed better than older students in math. Results were mixed between private and public schools in both English and math, and they were unrelated to the school’s price tag in high school. Thirty-six percent of all students attending Vermont colleges and universities have to take remedial courses to catch up. At the Community College of Vermont, 50 percent of Vermont students take at least one remedial course. Springfield High School and Black River High School were included in the eight high schools reporting SBAC scores that were so low that students won’t be ready for college math without “substantial support. However, both of these schools had more low-income students than the statewide average.  VT Digger 

 Vermont’s Drought Explained: Rain and snow in the last three weeks have helped a bit, but low levels of precipitation from August through October have put much of Vermont in drought conditions.  We get three different scientific perspectives on what drought means to Vermont's landscape and waterways. VPR 

VT Sees One of the Lowest Rate Increases Under Obamacare: Vermont has one of the lowest increases in premium rates for policies sold under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new study from Kaiser Health News. In Vermont, the average premium is increasing by 5 percent. In comparison, rates in Arizona are going up by 145 percent; in Minnesota, the increase is 55 percent and in New York State the rate hike is 24 percent. VPR 

 

2. CAVENDISH WELCOMES THE HOLIDAYS DEC 3-4" The holiday season is off to a great start with the various fun activities listed below for the weekend of Dec. 3-4 so plan to be part of the festivities.

 3rd Annual Abundance Swap: Dec. 3 at Cavendish Town Elementary School

• Pick 3-5 items in your home, shop or office that someone would enjoy as a gift. These should be in really good shape and of quality, meaning it’s well made and likely to be valued by someone. Children are encouraged to bring gently used toys they may have outgrown or no longer use. Do not bring items that are damaged, broken or do not work.

• Bring them to the Cavendish Town Elementary School on Saturday morning, December 3, starting at 9:30 am.

• Drop off your items, enjoy a visit with your neighbors and the Cavendish Connects team, as well as share the stories of what you are bringing to the swap.

• From 10-11:30, select presents for someone on your holiday giving list (it can be you). 

Note that copies of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: The Writer Who Changed History will be available for signing and for purchase. FMI 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

14th Annual Holiday Fair: December 3 9am-3pm at the Proctorsville Fire Department MainSt. Proctorsville. Hosted by St James United Methodist Church and local nonprofits. Crafts, gifts, raffles, goodies, and lunch is available!

Indulgence Tour: Visit 11 local inns including Golden Stage and The Castle) on Dec. 3-4 sampling foods and other treats. Learn more and purchase tickets ($10 a piece) by going to the Indulgence Tour webpage or facebook sites

PVFD Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale: Dec 3rd , 4th, 10th and 11th9am – 4pm VT Grown Frasir Firs Trees start at $30; Wreaths are $15 Benefits the PFD Equipment Fund Free Coffee and Homade Doughnuts Dec 10th. On Saturday Dec 10th Santa will arrive by Fire truck to see the children at 10am-12 noon Proctorsville Jr Firefighters will also be collecting VT redeemable cans and bottles to be dropped off during the sale to benefit the Jr Firefighters program.

 

 3. EVENTS

NOVEMBER 29 (Tuesday): Act 46 meeting, Chester-Andover Elementary School, 6:30 pm. Discuss the proposed changes to the Schools in the TRSU District, which includes Cavendish, Chester, Andover, Ludlow and Mt. Holly. 

Select Board Meeting Agenda 11/21/16

The Cavendish Select Board will meet on Nov. 21 (Monday) in the Cavendish Town Office at 7 pm.  The Agenda will be as follows:

1. Call the meeting to order

2. Consider a resolution to request a reclassification of Quent Phelan Road, TH #9, from Class III to Class II town highway. This reclassification would be in concert with companion efforts by the Town of Ludlow. Ludlow is in the process of reclassifying Commonwealth Avenus and Barker Road from Class III to Class II. Collectively, these three roads constitute a significant connecting thoroughfare between the towns of Cavendish and Ludlow. This connecting thoroughfare links Vermont Rt. 103 (Main Street in Ludlow), a Class I town highway, to Twenty Mile Stream Road (TH #2), a Class II town highway in Cavendish.

3. Town Manager to return to the Board with full information on the proposals received for the installation of heat pump equipment at the Cavendish Town Office building. The manager is requesting that the Board approve of the purchase of this equipment utilizing funds from the Town Office Renovation Fund. The low bid received is from HB Energy. There is a timeliness issue on this matter due to an Efficiency Vermont rebate program.

4. Consider a motion from a member of the Board to have the Select Board review the Town of Cavendish Conflict of Interest Policy as it may apply to current considerations of the Board in its recruitment of a new Town Manager.

5. Conduct discussion related to Town Manager recruitment. NOTE: Due to the nature of this activity, this portion of the meeting will be conducted in executive (not open to the public) session.

6. Adjourn